[2]National Nurses United




Right now, there’s a dire shortage of medical supplies across the country
including personal protective equipment (PPE), hospital beds, and
ventilators. These shortages are not only putting our health care workers
at risk, but also costing patients their lives. 

It’s not a coincidence that most hospitals are vastly unprepared and
lacking “surge capacity” for moments of crisis like this one. That’s
because our current for-profit health care system is designed to make
money by cutting corners and skimping on necessary supplies, which comes
at the expense of preparedness. 

We need a health care system in which hospitals are incentivized to keep
plenty of necessary supplies on hand for times of crisis. The only system
that will do that, the only system that will put people over profits, is
Medicare for All. 

[ [link removed] ]That’s why we are asking you to reaffirm your commitment to fight for
Medicare for All today. Will you sign our pledge to continue the fight for
health care for all?

[ [link removed] ]Sign the pledge »

As we take immediate action to protect frontline nurses, it’s also
important for us to make sure that the world we are building post-COVID is
better than the one we left behind. That means addressing our health care
crisis head-on. 

Most hospitals practice a supply chain model called “just-in-time”
production. It keeps costs low, but it also means that they only have the
supplies on-hand to get through 72 hours of normal demand. 

Right now, hospitals see maintaining a stockpile of extra supplies as
“having too many dollars tied up in inventory.” Under Medicare for All,
hospitals would receive lump sum payments to cover the entirety of their
operating expenses. That means they wouldn’t have to keep PPE, bed, or
ventilator capacity low to stay afloat and could stock up on equipment to
prepare for crises like this. 

[ [link removed] ]We need to radically transform our health care system. Will you add
your name if you’re more committed than ever to fight for Medicare for
All?

Responding to COVID-19 under a Medicare for All system would look a lot
different than our current situation. No one would forego seeking out
tests or treatment because they can’t afford thousands of dollars in
medical bills. Everyone would receive comprehensive treatment, and
everyone would be able to be vaccinated once a vaccine was made
available. 

We’re not the only ones who understand this. In the face of COVID-19,
national support for Medicare for All is at a nine-month high.^1 Momentum
is on our side, but we need to know that you’re with us and committed to
this fight. 

Thank you for being in this work with us. 

Jasmine Ruddy
Organizer
Nurses’ Campaign for Medicare for All 

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1 - [ [link removed] ]Morning Consult



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