Massachusetts Nurses Association Endorsement

May 29th, 2008 — Jen Benson, candidate to represent the 37th Middlesex District in the State House, has secured the public endorsement of the Massachusetts Nurses Association which represents over 23,000 nurses in more than 80 health care facilities across Massachusetts.

"We were impressed by Jen Benson's commitment to improving the state's healthcare system," said Beth Piknick, RN, President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. "She clearly feels it's important to ensure the safety of every patient in the hospital, and to ensure that everyone in the state has access to affordable healthcare."

Access to quality, affordable healthcare is one of Benson's top priorities. "It is critical that we move towards a healthcare system that covers every person in our commonwealth," Benson said. "The healthcare reform law that was passed in 2006 is a step in the right direction, but there are still too many people that are uninsured, and the issue of escalating costs has not been addressed."

Massachusetts Health Care Reform, which became law on April 12, 2006, attempts to reduce the number of people who have no insurance, and provides for several state insurance programs for people who do not have coverage.

Benson believes that nurses are a critical piece of our healthcare infrastructure. "I am very proud of my endorsement by the Massachusetts Nurses Association," said Benson. "Nurses work on the front lines of our healthcare system and I am committed to supporting them in their important work."

The Massachusetts Nurses endorsement adds to a growing list of endorsements of Benson by both organizations and community leaders. Benson has received public endorsements from elected officials in every town in the district and from state office holders, including Robert Antonioni (D-Leominster), State Senator from the Worcester and Middlesex District, and Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

The 37th Middlesex District includes Acton (precincts 3, 4 and 5), Boxborough, Harvard, Lancaster (precinct 1), Lunenburg and Shirley. The seat has been held since 2002 by Representative James Eldridge (D-Acton) who is running for the Middlesex and Worcester state senate seat being vacated by Senator Pam Resor (D-Acton).

More information on Benson's candidacy can be found at www.jenbenson.org.