Nurses Union Backs Addabbo in Heated State Senate Race
By DAVID SIMS
City Councilman Joseph P. Addabbo Sept. 25 picked up more labor support in his race for the State Senate, as the New York State Nurses Association endorsed him on the steps of City Hall.

JOSEPH P. ADDABBO: Nurses in his corner.

"Mr. Addabbo's record shows strong support for nursing and health-care issues," said Tina Gerardi, CEO of the NYSNA. "As City Council chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, he has also advanced legislation and initiatives of importance to nurses."

'Leave Care to Professionals'

"We need to put health care back into the hands of the doctors and nurses who think first about the patient, and second about the bill," said Mr. Addabbo. "I am proud to accept NYSNA's endorsement and look forward to working together to lower the cost of prescription drugs and out-of-control insurance premiums."

Mr. Addabbo commended the nurses for their successful fight to limit mandatory overtime. When asked about upcoming city and state budget cuts that could impact health care, he conceded that "we need to make the appropriate cuts, in an efficient way," citing increased vigilance against Medicare fraud as one way the state could save money without making cuts or raising taxes.

Mr. Addabbo is in a tight race with 10-term Republican incumbent Sen. Serphin Maltese that is a key battleground in the Democratic Party's attempt to gain a majority in the State Senate.