Summertime in the Twin Cities is off to a busy start for Healthcare United volunteers. We held our first meet-up over coffee in early June, where myself and another RN hosted a film screening and discussed how transparency and accountability are necessary in reforming our healthcare system. This would impact caregivers from a variety of backgrounds, including RNs, dental hygienists, physical therapists, doctors and pharmacists. We acknowledges that while we all work in a different healthcare areas, we are all healthcare workers.

On June 19th, during a visit by Sen. John McCain to the Twin Cities, I represented Healthcare United at a morning press conference. As an RN and a healthcare reform activist, I stressed that we healthcare workers are the ones we've been waiting for. It's our job to see to it that the broken healthcare system gets fixed. A recent online survey by the Healthcare United campaign demonstrated that healthcare workers are ready to act for change, they're just not sure how. One positive step in that direction is to do all we can to encourage Minnesota healthcare workers to register and vote for change.

In the afternoon of June 19th, I participated in a peaceful demonstration of healthcare workers, peace workers, unions and other activists in front of McCain's hotel. I was able to deliver Healthcare United's survey results on healthcare reform to one of McCain's aides. When I joined together in chanting with other demonstrators, I kicked off the chant: "Patients--before Profits-Healthcare Reform NOW!"

If we all register and vote on Election Day, I know our newly elected officials will hear this chant loud and clear!