Urgent Cry for your help !!!

UAPRN Members !!

Action Alert: Help Us Oppose The Save American Workers Act of 2015

Friday, January 9, 2015

I am askig our members to oppose The Save American Workers Act of 20 15,which changes the current definition of full-time work from 30 hours to 40 hours. This would permit employers to classify nurses who work 36 hours weekly as part-time employees who do not merit healthcare benefits. Please contact your U.S. senator today.

Members of the 114th Congress were sworn into office on January 3, 2015. Already, they have introduced more than 100 pieces of legislation regarding health care. Many are aimed at entirely repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), while others chip away at essential aspects of the bill's original intent to provide better access and affordable health care for all Americans.

UAPRN joins the American Nurses Association (ANA) and other organizations in opposing The Save American Workers Act of 2015, H.R. 30, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, January 8. This bill changes the current definition of "full-time employee" under the Affordable Care Act from a 30-hour work week to a minimum 40-hour work week.

Because many full-time nursing schedules comprise a three-day, 12-hour shift, employers could exercise the option to designate those nurses who work 36 hours weekly as part-time employees, and may deny them healthcare coverage as part of their employment benefits.

In a statement issued January 7, President Obama said, "This legislation would weaken a provision of the Affordable Care Act designed to maintain employer-based health insurance coverage, protect their employees, and prevent employers' health-benefit costs from being shifted to taxpayers." He added that if the bill were to pass Congress, he would veto it.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has promised a vote on the bill, but will need at least six Senate Democrats to support the legislation in order to prevent a filibuster.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, I am asking UAPRN members to contact their United States senators and ask them to oppose this legislation. Find your U.S. Senator and let him or her hear from a hardworking APRN!

James F. Lawrence, Ph.D. APRN BC CHPN FAANP CPS

UAPRN State President