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I was a registered nurse and a certified nurse-midwife for decades at Northern Light Eastern
Maine Medical Center. I am very familiar with the work issues that have led to nursing burnout
and exhaustion from chronic overwork as described by nurses everywhere.
When I saw LD 1639 introduced in the Maine Legislature in 2023, I was thrilled. This bill would have established minimum nurse staffing requirements, allowing, I believe, nurses to deliver safe and humane care at the highest level of professionalism.
This bill passed the state Senate by a healthy margin, with every Democratic senator voting for it. Every one except for my senator, Joe Baldacci. I explained to him the critical need for this bill. I was very disappointed that he voted against it and the recommendation of the Maine State Nurses Association.
In explaining his vote, Sen. Baldacci echoed the talking points of large hospital systems
that fought this bill, I believe, to avoid more oversight and meaningful reform. Those hospitals argued against what I believe are safe staffing limits while nurses continued to shoulder overly demanding and sometimes unsafe patient loads.
Baldacci may want to run as my representative in the U.S. Congress from the Second
District, but I’d have a hard time voting for him. Someone who votes against working people,
in favor of powerful corporate profits, has shown to me where their interests lie.
We don’t need another member of Congress who sides with big industries over the people who do the work. That’s why I believe Joe Baldacci should not run for Congress.
Melissa Berky
Bangor