News · Economy and jobs · Michigan
The Michigan Senate candidate also emphasized stronger AI rules but did not take a position on California’s proposed billionaire tax.
Key takeaways
Michigan Democrat and U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed spoke at the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United convention in San Francisco on Sept. 30, 2026. He urged union members to continue pressing for Medicare for All, a government-run health insurance system intended to cover everyone.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared at the convention by video and also made the case for Medicare for All. Cathy Kennedy, a retired nurse and president of National Nurses United, connected the proposal to the union’s view that health care should be treated as a right.
El-Sayed is an epidemiologist and former public health official. His appearance placed health care policy at the center of his message to the union.
The California Nurses Association has long supported replacing the current health insurance system with a single-payer model. Previous attempts to establish such a system through the California Legislature have not succeeded.
The union is also seeking stronger rules for artificial intelligence tools used in health care staffing, scheduling and data collection. El-Sayed has made stronger AI regulation one of his priorities alongside Medicare for All.
Those questions connect health policy with working conditions. Nurses are confronting heavier workloads, while rising living costs are part of the union’s push to support federal candidates who share its policy goals.
El-Sayed did not take a position on California’s proposed billionaire tax during his visit. His remarks instead focused on national health coverage and oversight of technology used in health care workplaces.
The convention appearance gave El-Sayed a platform outside Michigan to promote those issues before a union audience. The nurses’ organizations’ broader federal involvement includes backing candidates aligned with their health care priorities.
What to watch
Was this useful?
News · CA
The proposal would use a tax to discourage price gouging at gasoline pumps, with its impact depending on how lawmakers structure it.
News · LA
The U.S. Department of Education funding is divided among six historically Black colleges and universities in Louisiana.
News · MI
The group wants Michigan to stop scheduling local tax questions during elections with the lowest voter participation.
News · OR
The Portland Metro Chamber’s CEO has sued Portland over an increase to the city’s arts tax.