Healthcare givers from the Columbia, Missouri area -- made up of LPNs, RNs and respiratory therapists -- came together on July 19th to discuss the problems in the healthcare system. They left with a plan and a commitment to building a strong movement of healthcare givers.

Caregivers raised concerns about everything from rising insurance costs to healthcare having a "business mentality" to the increasing amount of uninsured in our country. After discussing the problems that are breaking our system, we moved to a conversation about what it is going to take to fix those problems.

The healthcare professionals in the room came up with a variety of ideas, including communicating with the public and the leaders of our country, using relatable language and voices joined together to educate about the issues. We concluded that healthcare givers can make an enormous difference if they work together - through small steps and realistic short term goals, we can achieve big results!

The most important first step to changing the healthcare system is to have your voice as a healthcare giver heard in the upcoming elections. The Columbia caregivers understand that the votes of healthcare workers are essential this year and they want to do everything they can to make sure every caregiver has that opportunity.

To make this happen, we're reaching out to our coworkers, neighbors, and other healthcare givers that we know who care about the problems we face, and want to make a difference.

You can get involved too! Follow the links to the "Action Center" to see what you can do today! Or, of course, if you're in Missouri, you can always contact me to find out what other ways health caregivers like yourself are moving forward!