Dear friend,

I’m sure you have driven past many of these signs in the past two years…planted at hospitals, nursing homes, and urgent care centers. It’s a reminder of the bravery and dedication of our nurses and other health care workers.

Today is National Nurses Day and is the first day of National Nursing Week, which has been celebrated every May since 1974 and culminates on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Nurses have always deserved honor and our gratitude, but COVID-19 brought their heroism and dedication into sharper focus. Many of our hospital-based nurses spent the first few months of the pandemic without proper personal protective equipment, working double shifts, and consoling patients and families.

On this first day of National Nurses Week, please join me in saluting the practitioners of this noble profession.

As I thank nurses, I’ll also support their efforts to advance the health of our population.

Here is what I’ll do in Congress:

• Defend the landmark Affordable Care Act, which has cut our uninsured population from 12% to 6%, one of the lowest rates in the nation.
• Fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, something Andy Harris continually resists.
• Prepare for the next pandemic with a “playbook,” strengthened public health system, and stockpile of necessary supplies.

But first things first – please tell a nurse, “thank you” this week.

Thanks,

Dave