Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison secured his reelection, earning the official endorsement and active campaign backing of the Minnesota Nurses Association as healthcare acquisitions continue to reshape the state's hospital and clinic network.
Minnesota Nurses Campaigned for Ellison Reelection
Nurses from the Minnesota Nurses Association knocked on doors and made calls to reach thousands of voters across Minnesota in support of Ellison’s reelection bid. The union’s early endorsement reflected frontline workers’ confidence in his commitment to protecting patients, frontline healthcare workers, and the communities they serve.
Minnesota's nurses are there for us in some of the hardest and most important moments in our lives. This week and every week, we appreciate your compassion, professionalism, and commitment to caring for our communities. Thank you, Minnesota's nurses! pic.twitter.com/vOL6QESpv7
Nurses were proud to stand with Attorney General Ellison early in this election and to support his campaign, because we believe he is committed to protecting Minnesota patients and to holding healthcare corporations accountable. We congratulate him on his victory and look forward to working with him to build meaningful protections for both those receiving care and for those providing it. — Chris Rubesch, RN at Essentia Health and MNA President
Alongside Ellison’s victory, MNA members celebrated the election of over 100 MNA-endorsed candidates. Every single candidate endorsed by nurses pledged to safeguard patients, bolster the healthcare workforce in Minnesota, and guarantee that the healthcare sector’s future is guided by the needs of the individuals who rely on it. Union leadership noted they plan to work with the pro-worker trifecta at the State Capitol and beyond to deliver upon these promises.
Scrutinizing Corporate Consolidation
Healthcare providers and hospital groups, operating locally within Minnesota as well as out of state, are currently pursuing mergers and takeovers on an unprecedented scale that will profoundly alter our medical infrastructure, leaving lasting impacts on communities, staff, and patients alike. Studies have consistently demonstrated that industry mergers frequently lead to higher costs without delivering any gains in the standard of care provided to patients. Because the cost of living and medical expenses are primary concerns for voters in this election cycle, these corporate buyouts demand rigorous evaluation, specifically regarding their effects on medical availability, adequate staffing levels, and the personnel providing care.
The MNA is urging Ellison to exert the full legal powers of his office to examine industry consolidation closely, ensuring that the well-being of patients and bedside employees is prioritized above corporate expansion. Representatives for the union emphasized that effective oversight must encompass open communication, a genuine platform for nurses and medical staff, and legally binding safeguards for both employees and those receiving medical treatment.
We supported Attorney General Ellison because he has consistently prioritized the input of nurses and patients when decisions about the future of Minnesota’s healthcare are made. We look forward to working alongside him to hold healthcare corporations accountable for decisions that affect our patients and our practice. — Rachel Andersen, RN at Fairview Health and Chair of MNA’s Commission on Governmental Affairs
As corporate restructuring reshapes hospitals and clinics statewide, nurses intend to track regulatory decisions closely. Further details regarding the union’s electoral platform and a comprehensive directory of supported candidates remain available through the MNA endorsement portal.
