As we mark National Nurses Week, SEIU nurses have a renewed commitment to improving quality in every setting -- as improvements in the health of our patients and improvements in our profession both go hand in hand. What makes this year's Nurses Week unlike those of previous years are the opportunities afforded us by the new, historic health care reform legislation to improve the quality of care we provide.

The forces opposing reform continue to want to keep Americans in the dark about the benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. That's why SEIU nurses are providing our communities with the facts about the new law's benefits. SEIU nurses are also working to hold insurance companies and elected officials accountable to delivering these hard-won benefits to working families.

While this law is a tremendous first step toward improving the quality of care, much more should be done. A recent study confirming that safe-staffing ratios save lives demonstrates that staffing ratios legislation is essential. For more than two decades, SEIU nurses have advocated for the safety of all patients through legislated safe-staffing ratios.

Ohio nurses also plan a Statehouse rally at 2 pm on May 11 for legislation that would empower some of them to improve their patients' access to treatments. Click here for more information.