NNU Warns About H.R. 1's Impact on Community Hospitals

National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the U.S., has issued a warning about the potential impact of H.R. 1 on healthcare services across more than 400 nonprofit and community hospitals nationwide. According to NNU's findings, facilities like Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, California, could face service cuts or closures if Medicaid and Medicare funding is not sustained. These programs account for a substantial portion of Tri-City’s patient revenue.

Ingrid Corona, a nurse at Tri-City, highlighted the hospital's critical role in community healthcare and the repercussions of reduced services or closure. Currently, Tri-City is exploring a partnership with Sharp HealthCare, pending voter approval. Despite possible financial support from this partnership, nurses continue to express concerns over financial vulnerabilities, especially amidst potential reductions in public healthcare funding.

NNU is organizing events, including one at Tri-City Medical Center, to raise awareness about the issue. These initiatives aim to underline the long-term need for sustainable revenue streams to support community hospitals that rely heavily on government programs. The union emphasizes the broader economic impacts of hospital closures, such as job losses and increased travel times for medical care.

NNU estimates that it would require $8 billion annually to maintain operations for these at-risk hospitals. The organization supports proposals to amend tax policies that would fund healthcare services and ensure hospital sustainability. Mary Turner, President of NNU, urges community solidarity to combat these financial threats and maintain accessible healthcare services, while advocating for policies that bolster healthcare infrastructure across the nation.