Whistle Blower Legislation Awaits Governor's Signature

The state is waiting for the Governor to sign the long overdue state budget. MNA has been especially interested in this budget, because it houses the language for the passage of "Health Care Whistle Blowing". Once singed Massachusetts will be only the third state in the nation with such strong language to protect patients and health care workers.

"This initiative was led by so many legislators", notes Gloria Craven, Director of the Department of Legislation Government Affairs. "It is rare that a piece of legislation; receives a unanimous vote of support in both the House of Representative and the Senate." However, that is exactly what has a happened. "Legislators knew this issue. We had blanketed them with the information and even with actual whistles", notes Stacey Ober, Associate Director.

Of the many legislators the MNA wishes to thank, a number of them deserve accolades for their significant contribution to gaining this victory.
These include:
Representative Brain Cresta (R- Wakefield) - for initiating the budget initiative
Representative Christine Canavan, RN (D-Brockton) - for championing the budget n the House debate
Representative Thomas Finneran, (D- Boston) as Speaker, for leading the whole House towards a unanimous vote and
Representative Paul Haley (D - Weymouth) for allowing the budget to become the vehicle for this legislation to be engrossed
Senator Thomas Birmingham, ( D - Chelsea) Senate President and his legal counsel for his willingness to listen to MNA's position even in the face of opposition
Senator Mark Montingy (D- New Bedford) as Chair of Ways and Means for even placing this entire language in to the Senate budget
Senator Stephen Tolman (D-Watertown) for shepherding the initiative in the Senate debate
Senator Richard Tisei (R- Wakefield) for filing the original bill and continuing to bring the issue to the forefront
Senator Stephen Lynch (D- South Boston) as Chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee for re-drafting the bill and making it even stronger.

MNA also owes many thanks to those professionals who have "blown the whistle" in their institutions and at the State House. Without their leadership and courage this legislation would not come to fruition.

To send a message asking the Governor to support and sign this bill, send him an e:mail at the state house web page GOffice@state.ma.us

To send an E:mail message of thanks to these legislators find them listed at the state house web page. www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis

Once at the Leg page, click on either the House or the Senate.
Click on the name of the legislator you want to thank.
You will be linked to their information page.
Click on the legislator's name and an E:mail block will.