Oregon Nurses Association Endorses Jeff Merkley

Press Release

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), the professional association of nurses in Oregon, endorsed Sen. Jeff Merkley's reelection today, citing Jeff's leadership in the Senate advocating for increased access to quality health care, the nursing profession, and his efforts to protect fundamental health care coverage for women.

"There is no bigger advocate for quality health care in the United States Senate than Jeff Merkley," said ONA Executive Director Susan King. "He understands the important role nurses play in our health care system, and has fought for high quality health care for all Oregonians. As nurses, we understand how important it is to ensure everyone has access to the full range of health care services, and Jeff is the only candidate in this race fighting against efforts to limit patients' health care options and take away access to essential health care services."

"As a husband of a nurse, I know that Oregon's nurses are the hands, feet, and heart of our health care system," said Sen. Merkley. " My wife Mary has shared with me her experiences on the front lines of patient care. Nurses bring a strong sense of dedication and compassion to their work and it is important that they have safe work environments so they can focus on patient care. I am pleased to have the endorsement of Oregon's nurses."

Jeff co-founded the Senate Nursing Caucus with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to begin a dialogue in the Senate on ways the nursing profession can be strengthened, including ensuring that there are enough nurse educators to train tomorrow's nurses. In May, Jeff introduced the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act, which would require Medicare-participating hospitals to create safe staffing plans and ensure that an appropriate number of registered nurses are available to provide direct patient care during any shift, based on key factors such as the number of patients and the intensity of care needed.

And while Jeff denounced the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling, which jeopardized access to birth control that millions of women rely on, and has led the fight in the Senate to reverse it, Monica Wehby supports the Hobby Lobby ruling and has defended it as part of her campaign.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) was founded in 1904 as the professional association for nurses in Oregon. It is a nonprofit association and a labor union representing registered nurses. ONA's mission is to advocate for nursing and quality health care.

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