We’d like to share the latest update from Mara Kieval, RN, who's working with several dedicated RNs and healthcare professionals in Salem, Oregon:

"This morning in Salem, Oregon, we held a Mandatory Electoral Mobilization meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, Sen. Kurt Schrader, the State Senator running for the open seat in the House, stopped by to speak with us, and, more importantly listen to our concerns as healthcare professionals. Then, he signed the Healthcare for America Now! pledge. It was an important moment for our activists to witness the power of lobbying their elected officials.

Immediately following Senator Schrader's visit, we got down to business. Using the fantastic new training packets put together by Healthcare United's western regional team, we broke out a calendar and each of the 15 attendees signed up to work scheduled phone banks over the next two weeks. We offered Tuesday night, Thursday night and a Saturday morning shift for them to choose from and they all had to choose two shifts each. The comprehensive training materials, the comparison piece, the polling data on nurses, and "the most well written phone banking script I have ever seen" (said one seasoned political activist) was more than enough to mobilize the caregivers present to take responsibility for this election and what they can do to impact the outcome. By standing up for our patients and our profession, we can change healthcare in this country!"  

If you're in Oregon and would like to join other caregivers in calling voters this Election season, check out the Oregon state page.