Massachusetts Nurses Association Endorses Isaac BenEzra for Governor’s Council Seat
Cites his strong commitment to health care and nursing issues

CANTON, Mass.—The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) today announced its endorsement and support for Isaac BenEzra, candidate for the Governor's Council seat in the Eighth District, which consists of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties. The MNA is the largest health care association in the commonwealth, representing more than 22,000 registered nurses (RNs) and health care professionals.

"There is no greater advocate for senior citizens, quality health care and social justice and no candidate for any office more deserving of our endorsement than Isaac BenEzra," said Karen Higgins, RN and president of the MNA. "Isaac has been a leader and community organizer, not only in Western Massachusetts, but throughout the commonwealth on a variety of key issues for seniors—including securing affordable prescription drugs, improving the quality and safety of health care for seniors, fighting for access to health care for all in our society, and in leading the fight for safe-staffing conditions in hospitals and nursing homes."

The MNA points to BenEzra’s work as president of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council, the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Health Care in the Pioneer Valley, and most recently, as a member of the executive committee of the Coalition to Protect Massachusetts Patients as a demonstration of his ability to mold public policy and advocate for real and positive change.

"Within the nursing community, Isaac is considered a hero for his long-standing efforts to support and promote the role of nurses in the health care system," said Patricia Healy, an RN from Northampton who serves as president of MNA’s Region 1, which serves Western Massachusetts. "Ten years ago, Isaac led efforts within the community to support improved staffing conditions for registered nurses at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. In years since, he has traveled across the state to educate seniors about the importance of RN staffing and its effect on the quality and safety of hospital care, and he now serves as a leader of a coalition of 65 health and consumer groups that is advocating for passage of safe RN staffing legislation. Anyone who cares about health care can't help but support Isaac BenEzra."