Allina and SEIU to legislators: Health care cuts hurt us all
MINNEAPOLIS 05/14/2009--Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the Service Employees International Union joined together at the state capitol today. About 200 Allina and SEIU leaders urged legislators and Governor Pawlenty to spare the most vulnerable Minnesotans and the uninsured from budget cuts.
"The state's budget decisions should not make the impact of the recession worse for those least able to weather the downturn," said SEIU Healthcare Minnesota president Julie Schnell.
Allina and SEIU leaders say cuts to health-care programs hurt patients, who will have less access to preventive care, and hospitals that must care for critically ill patients who cannot pay. And, state cuts will compound the recession's crippling effect on healthcare reforms that in time will ease rising healthcare costs.
"We are counting on the legislature and Governor Pawlenty to deliver a balanced budget while preserving access, eligibility and innovation in health care so that together, we can secure high quality, affordable care for all Minnesotans," said Allina president and chief operating officer Ken Paulus.
Allina and the SEIU formed a strategic alliance in 2006 to collaborate to improve patient care and satisfaction and promote a healing and compassionate environment in their institutions.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit health care system of hospitals, clinics and other patient care services that provides exceptional care to communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin and employs more than 22,000 people.
About Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
SEIU unites over 1 million health care workers nationwide. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota includes 17,000 hospital, clinic and nursing home workers across Minnesota, including 6,000 Twin Cities' hospital workers. # # #
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