United Nurses & Allied Professionals Endorses Governor Dan McKee for Re-Election
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Today, the United Nurses & Allied Professionals (UNAP), which represents approximately 5,500 Rhode Island nurses, technologists, therapists, and other frontline health care workers, announced its endorsement of Governor Dan McKee for re-election.
“We have endorsed Governor McKee for reelection because he helped stave off catastrophe in our health care system when he helped save Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center,” said UNAP President Lynn Blais. “The Governor helped push through $18 million in state backstop funds that were necessary to secure deal that prevented closure of these important community hospitals – saving thousands of jobs, protecting the livelihood of our members, and continuing access to thousands of Rhode Islanders who depend on these hospitals.”
“Rhode Island’s nurses show up for us every single day, and I’m honored to have them in my corner,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Donald Trump is trying to rip health care away from thousands of Rhode Islanders, and Helena Foulkes spent her career doing the same – pushing Medicaid cuts that cut coverage for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, promoting a merger after 900,000 people were kicked off their health care, and taking home tens of millions while fueling the opioid epidemic. Whether it’s working hand in hand to secure funding to keep Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals open, capping the cost of insulin and lowering premiums, or protecting coverage for working families, I’ll never stop fighting for Rhode Islanders’ healthcare – and for the nurses and caregivers who show up for our families every day.”
When Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center’s out-of-state private equity owner put 2,400 jobs, 50,000 annual emergency room visits, and thousands of patients in jeopardy, Governor McKee signed backstop legislation and secured $18 million to keep their doors open – then championed millions more in the state’s budget to protect Rhode Island hospitals from Trump’s health care cuts.
Governor McKee’s record of championing health care workers also includes signing legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, cap the cost of insulin and keep nurses safe on the job. He has invested millions to grow and train Rhode Island’s health care workforce and rebuild Rhode Island’s primary care system, standing shoulder to shoulder with frontline workers at the bargaining table and the State House.
Governor McKee is running for re-election to continue putting money back in Rhode Island families’ pockets and standing up to Donald Trump’s efforts to rip away Rhode Islanders’ health care, food assistance, jobs, and other critical services. Since taking office, Governor McKee has delivered for Rhode Islanders, creating over 37,000 private sector jobs, cutting energy bills by $21 million, and keeping Rhode Island building despite national economic uncertainty.
