Health Care Politics 101: Make Your Vote Count

As we near Election Day, it is impossible to avoid the news coverage on the presidential candidates, even in the midst of a busy semester. But don’t let the media hype or the stress of classes deter you from being involved; as future nurses in America it is vitally important to be aware of the candidates’ health care platforms, because they will someday affect not only the care that we will receive, but also the care we can provide to our patients.
When reading up on the candidates’ views, keep in mind the state of your future patients. Remember that they may be of every age, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status, disease state or ethnicity that is present in our country. Even though we are not yet nurses, it is important to be an advocate for the people that will one day be in our care. What will best suit their vast array of health care needs? How can our country and future president provide optimal access to care for them?
Please take some time out of your busy schedule and carefully read the presidential nominees’ views on health care through the eyes of your future patients.
Obama/Biden Health Care Plan
McCain/Palin Health Care Plan
Be sure that you are registered to vote at your address and you know the election date in your state. You can also cast your vote by absentee ballot, if necessary. The Web site Vote411 is a great resource for finding out voting information, including polling places, in your state. It also has some great information on local candidates and ballot measures in your area.
Remember that someday we, as nurses, will be responsible for the best care that we can provide to our patients. Try to be objective and educated when voting so that years from now you can look back and know that, even as a student nurse in 2008, you were looking out for the welfare of your patients.