Nurses & Health Care Professionals Endorse Katie Porter For Governor

RNs and Health Care Workers Back Katie’s Plan to Bring Down Costs And Fight Trump’s Attacks on Health Care

Today, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) endorsed former Congresswoman Katie Porter’s campaign for Governor. UNAC/UHCP is Porter’s eighth major labor endorsement—the most out of any candidate in the race for Governor. Their support comes after UNAC/UHCP workers held a nearly month-long strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California to demand a fair contract and enforcement of safe nurse staffing ratios that protect nurses and help them deliver the care patients need. Watch Katie on the picket line HERE. 

“At UNAC/UHCP, our top priority is ensuring access to affordable, quality care,” said UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine S. Morales, RN. “When we look at the changes needed in California, we are proud to support Katie Porter. She understands that delivering on that promise means ensuring there is always a pipeline of workers coming into our professions — whether a registered nurse, a pharmacist, a therapist, or any other health care professional. We know that when the governor needs a frontline perspective and a voice at the table, UNAC/UHCP members will be called upon. We look forward to a future knowing that our priorities will be heard by Governor Katie Porter.”

Katie has a long record of fighting for nurses and health care professionals and delivering lower health care costs for patients. In Congress, she passed legislation to claw back profits from Big Pharma when they raise drug prices faster than the rate of inflation. Her proposals to expand mental health coverage for public servants and hold insurers accountable for covering mental health care at parity with other types of medical care were also signed into law. At the beginning of the pandemic, Katie’s questioning of the CDC director made him commit to providing free Covid-19 tests for every American. 

“UNAC/UHCP members know how to fight — for their patients, their families, and a good contract — and they know that Californians need a fellow fighter as Governor,” said Katie Porter. “I’m proud to have the support of the 40,000-plus nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals that UNAC/UHCP represents as we push for a health care system that delivers affordable, accessible care for every single Californian. Californians can count on me to hold corporations accountable when they put profits before patients and workers.”

Katie Porter has the momentum as the leading Democrat in the race for California Governor. A new PPIC poll showed Katie leading the Democratic field with 13% of the vote, placing second overall behind a Republican — indicating her enduring strength and ability to build a winning coalition to avoid a Republican lockout. Just last week, Katie was endorsed by another major labor union, Orange County Employees Association. 

Katie’s grassroots coalition is the largest in the race and continues to expand as voters tune into the election. UNAC/UHCP joins a growing group of unions supporting Katie’s campaign, including: Orange County Employees Association, IBEW Local 441, National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), Teamsters California, United Auto Workers (UAW), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), and Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transit Workers Union (SMART). Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Dave Min, Rep. Derek Tran, and other major groups like EMILYs List, Elect Democratic Women, Fund Her, California Women’s List, and Vote Mama PAC are backing Porter too. 

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