Nurses back Thissen

The Minnesota Nurses Association announced today that they're backing state Rep. Paul Thissen, a DFLer, for governor. The union said Thissen, who chairs the MN House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, said Thissen "exemplifies the characteristics we expect of a Governor. The union represents twenty thousand nurses. Here's the release:

Minnesota Nurses Association Endorses Thissen for Governor; Called "A Champion for Nurses"

ST. PAUL - The 20,000 Registered Nurses of Minnesota Nurses Association through their Political Committee (MNA-PC) announce the endorsement of Paul Thissen in his bid for Governor of Minnesota.

"Paul Thissen is a champion for Registered Nurses. From his work to make sure all children have health insurance, to his advocacy of adequate RN staffing for patient safety, he exemplifies the characteristics we expect of a Governor," said MNA President-Elect, Linda Hamilton, RN. "We look forward to working with a Governor who puts patients before profits and who appreciates the role of Registered Nurses."

Thissen noted his appreciation for the responsibility entrusted to him by the nurses. "I have met with nurses across the state about staffing and the real, on-the-ground challenges they face. Those visits, tours and discussion have shaped, and will continue to shape, my views," said Thissen. Knowing health care reform resonates deeply with nurses, he added "I will focus on slowing the increase of health care costs within our state budget, but not (like the current Governor) by throwing people off health care. Rather, we can bend the curve by caring for people in a smarter, more efficient way."

Thissen was named MNA's Legislator of the Year in 2009 and an MNA All-Star in the organization's Legislative Scorecard for his authorship of the MNA-backed Health Security Act and his work on legislation to set staffing standards in acute care facilities.

The MNA-PC's mission is to promote public health, the advancement of the practice of nursing and the empowerment of registered nurses.

The Minnesota Nurses Association Political Committee conducts a rigorous screening process which includes reading candidate questionnaires, interviewing candidates, and studying the positions of candidates in the 2010 gubernatorial race to assess their support for MNA policy priorities.

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