It is clear that higher education is under attack. The Trump administration has frozen funding for science, from cancer research to reproductive care; has hamstrung student financial aid programs; has stripped colleges and universities of diversity, equity and inclusion programming; has strangled affirmative action designed to expand access to college; and is demanding that some institutions sign a “compact” that forces them to adopt Trump’s ideology in exchange for federal funding.

Dr. Byrce Pulliam spends his nights in a community emergency room in Southern Oregon, where the line between life and death can come down to seconds—and insurance coverage.

“I show up 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year with one goal in mind: to provide excellent care for patients in crisis. Being a doctor is often challenging, but it has become harder because our nation’s healthcare system is on life support,” he said before a House hearing on Oct. 8.

Watch our interview with WTMJ4 News regarding the recent Ascension cyber security attack and our concerns over the disruption of care and services at St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. WTMJ4 News Interview -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rh9PiVg42k

Here's a thread of other press stories about the effect of the cybersecurity hack and our members' collective efforts to keep caring for their patients:

PRESS RELEASE FOR:
Thursday, May 9, 2024

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

ASCENSION CYBER SECURITY ATTACK IMPACTING HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND PATIENT CARE

MILWAUKEE – Wednesday, May 8th, Ascension's electronic health record (EHR) was unexpectedly taken off-line. Union members of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals at Ascension St. Francis Hospital are concerned about their ability to provide the quality care that patients deserve, including concerns over delayed test results, access to doctors, and increased chance for medical errors. At the time of this press release, the system is not up and our members have been told there is "no end in sight."

The loss of our EHR has dramatically slowed down care and significantly reduced nurses' and other healthcare workers' ability to care for patients. Our members are concerned about management's response to this crisis, for reasons including:

PRESS RELEASE FOR:
Friday, February 8, 2024

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

 
Planned Parenthood Workers Win Their Union in Historic Vote, Uniting for Stronger Care Across Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals is proud to announce a significant victory for the dedicated healthcare workers of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, as they have successfully won their union election with 81% of the vote yesterday. Following a democratic process, employees across various roles within the organization have chosen to unionize, marking a pivotal moment in the history of reproductive healthcare advocacy and the resurgence of the labor movement in Wisconsin. We expect the National Labor Relations Board to certify the election in the coming days.

PRESS RELEASE FOR:
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

For more information, contact:
Jamie Lucas, (720)621-3689, jlucas@wfnhp.org

 
Planned Parenthood Workers Unite for Stronger Care and Form Union Across Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – In a historic move aimed at fostering long-term sustainability for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, healthcare workers from clinics across the state have joined forces to establish a union. Their initiative seeks to empower those at the forefront of patient care by providing them with a formal voice in shaping the conditions under which they work.

Summer is upon us, and parents, children and teachers are winding down from what has been an exhausting and fully operational school year—the first since the devastating pandemic. The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 has affected our students’ and families’ well-being and ignited the politics surrounding public schools. All signs point to the coming school year unfolding with the same sound and fury, and if extremist culture warriors have their way, being even more divisive and stressful.