REPORT: September 2006

Eliot Spitzer: A brilliant track record

by Nancy Webber

NYSNA announced in August that its Board of Directors had endorsed Eliot Spitzer as the best choice for governor of New York State.

The endorsement was made based on a recommendation from the NYSNA Political Action Committee. “Eliot Spitzer has demonstrated his support for nursing issues, healthcare issues, and labor issues,” said Audrey Ludmer, staff nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital and chair of the NYSNA-PAC.

Since becoming Attorney General in 1998, Spitzer has actively investigated and prosecuted nursing homes that have failed to provide adequate care to residents. In January 2006 he issued a report, “Staffing Levels in New York Nursing Homes: Important Information for Making Choice,” that provided detailed information on staffing levels of RN, LPNs, and certified aides.

During his campaign, Spitzer has vowed to reduce the number of uninsured New Yorkers by half within four years of taking office. He also supports improvements to the healthcare system through a greater use of technology to improve efficiency and quality, better management of chronic diseases, and reduced costs for prescription drugs.

Spitzer is running as a Democrat and also has received the endorsement of the New York State AFL-CIO.