A significant rally is set to take place outside Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Saturday, July 20, from 2 to 3 p.m. The event aims to address the hospital's practice of suing low-income patients over medical debt and to advocate for the rights of registered nurses (RNs) seeking union representation.
The rally is organized by the AFL-CIO, National Nurses United, and the Coalition for a Humane Hopkins, and will feature prominent speakers including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, and National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, RN. Community leaders and nurses from Johns Hopkins will also be present.
Since 2009, Johns Hopkins Hospital has reportedly filed over 2,400 lawsuits in Maryland to recover alleged medical debts from former patients, resulting in more than 400 garnishments of wages or bank accounts. Many of those affected may qualify for reduced or charity care, but there are claims that the hospital has not adequately informed them of these options. This situation disproportionately impacts African American residents in Baltimore, particularly in areas where the poverty rate is significantly higher than the state average.
The rally comes in the wake of a Baltimore Sun editorial that criticized the hospital's practices and called for an end to lawsuits against low-income patients. Protesters will demand that Johns Hopkins cancel all medical debt lawsuits, cease wage garnishments, increase charity care, and ensure patients are aware of their options for reduced medical expenses.
In addition to addressing patient care issues, the rally will advocate for the rights of RNs at Johns Hopkins, who are seeking to join the National Nurses Organizing Committee/NNU. In June, the hospital reached a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board to halt violations of federal labor laws, including unlawful surveillance of nurses. However, nurses have reported ongoing violations and a campaign to undermine their union efforts.
Reported by HarborBeat based on National Nurses United (source).
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