I was a registered nurse and a certified nurse-midwife for decades at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. I am very familiar with the work issues that have led to nursing burnout and exhaustion from chronic overwork as described by nurses everywhere.

When I saw LD 1639 introduced in the Maine Legislature in 2023, I was thrilled. This bill would have established minimum nurse staffing requirements, allowing nurses to deliver safe and humane care at the highest level of professionalism. 

This bill passed the Senate by a healthy margin, with every Democratic senator voting for it. Everyone except for my senator, Joe Baldacci. I had explained to him the critical need for this bill. I was very disappointed that he voted against it and the recommendation of the Maine State Nurses Association.

In explaining his vote, Sen. Baldacci echoed the talking points by large hospital systems that fought this bill vigorously to avoid oversight and meaningful reform. Those hospitals argued against safe staffing limits while nurses continued to shoulder overly demanding and sometimes unsafe patient loads. 

Joe Baldacci may want to run as my representative in the U.S. Congress from the 2nd District, but I would have a hard time voting for him. Someone who votes against the working people, in favor of powerful corporate interests, has already shown where their interests lie. We don’t need another member of Congress who sides with big industries over the people who do the work. 
That’s why Joe Baldacci should not run for Congress.

Melissa Berky
Bangor