Nurses Endorse DeFrancisco for 162nd District

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2008

Contact: Julia Ramsey 215-805-2414

Nurses Endorse DeFrancisco for 162nd District

John DeFrancisco earned the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) today at a roundtable discussion on health care issues held at DeFrancisco's campaign office in Prospect Park.

Anita Reynolds, Registered Nurse (RN), a case manager at Crozer Chester Medical Center, and resident of Glenolden, spoke about her support for John and why health care issues are so critical in Delaware County now.

"PASNAP nurses are excited to have John DeFrancisco as a candidate for this district.  He recognizes the struggles so many families are enduring in this current healthcare crisis." Reynolds said, " People shouldn't have to struggle as much as they currently are to receive healthcare.  At Crozer , we see more and more patients coming into our emergency department in worse conditions.  Everyday people are forgoing basic care that would have kept them out of the ER because they cannot afford the rise in their healthcare costs.  We need to do better, and we can.  DeFrancisco will tackle the issue of healthcare so that we can focus on actual healthcare, not affordability and access,"

Dawn Andonian, RN, of Folcroft, who works in the Operating Room at Mercy Fitzgerald, stated, "John DeFrancisco is a great candidate for patients and their caregivers.  As patient advocates, the nurses of PASNAP seek to ensure that our working conditions are safe so that we can provide the best possible care to our patients.  DeFrancisco recognizes that nurses' working conditions directly impact the quality of care that we can offer.  Studies have shown that when there are sufficient nurses available to patients, patient outcomes are better.  He will seek to ensure that our working conditions are safe, and that there is safe staffing in our hospitals.  We enthusiastically endorse his candidacy and look forward to having a local ally for patients and caregivers in Harrisburg. "

John DeFrancisco gratefully accepted PASNAP's support and stated, "As State Representative I will support legislation that prohibits hospitals and other health care facilities from requiring workers to work overtime and will support legislation that mandates adequate patient-to-nurse staffing ratios to ensure that the quality of care patients receive is not sacrificed. I am truly honored to receive this endorsement because these nurses understand better than anyone about providing excellent care to patients."

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