Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona, addressed the Minnesota Nurses Association Day on the Hill Tuesday at the state Capitol.

More than 1,300 MNA members from around the state participated in the annual event, under the theme "Code Red for Care." Nurses are urging lawmakers to preserve staffing levels and quality patient care. Senator Erickson Ropes noted that layoffs of nurses and other staff are hurting the quality of care and health care access in many Minnesota communities.