The election process is in full swing.  Hopefully you are already researching candidates and issues so that you can vote intelligently for those who can best represent your ideas and goals.

As nurses, we have a unique perspective from which we can view many of the major issues being discussed this election.   We know the health care system from the inside.   As health care professionals, we see the greatness of our health care system but we daily see its limitations and flaws as well.  Friends and family respect our “insider” views on health care so it’s important we are well- informed and able to provide accurate information when asked for our opinions.

We can easily learn more about the issues at The American Nurses Association web site: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-AdvocacyAct.

Another resource I use for health care news and information is the Kaiser Family Foundations website at www.kff.org . This foundation follows all sorts of health care news and has an in depth summary of the Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2010.

Though the local elections can often get overshadowed in a Presidential election year, these are the important races that determine so much of our quality of life.  Issues like funding for healthcare and education, local school board priority setting, issues of public safety on the streets near your home are determined by those elected to state and local office.  For candidate information, a good resource is the Arizona clean election website   http://www.azcleanelections.gov .  This site can also help you determine your legislative district, read position statements from the candidates and find debates and forums scheduled prior to the election.

Just as we advocate for our patient’s health and safety each day at work,  it is important that we, as nurses,  advocate for the health and safety of our families, neighbors and patients at the ballot box this November 6.

Anna Rottenstein RN BSN CPAN
AZPANA Governmental Affairs Chairperson