Throughout the fall, RNs from across the
commonwealth headed to the State House
to distribute literature and speak to legislators
about why Massachusetts needs safe
RN staffing. These informational visits from
MNA members were an important part of our
successful mobilization for the public hearing
on H.2059, An Act Relative to Patient Safety,
which was held on Oct. 24.
RNs first visited the State House on Sept.
12 to give legislators information about the
studies that have come out in just the last year
making the case for safe RN staffing. It was a
very successful day.
RNs were able to speak
to legislators about what they see on the frontlines
of patient care in their facilities and also
to reinforce those firsthand experiences with
the litany of peer-reviewed studies included
in the packet.
RNs followed up by distributing information
about the ratios that exist for children
in daycare centers, information about the
affordability of safe RN staffing and information
about Massachusetts' adequate supply
of nurses to meet the requirements of the
legislation. RNs also dropped a piece discussing
the success of legislation similar to
H.2059 in California.
They were excited to distribute yet another
piece of literature showing the many substantive
changes to the safe RN staffing bill
agreed to by the MNA. This highlighted how
reasonable, yet dedicated to quality patient
care, our members have been throughout this
campaign.
"I think it really struck a chord with many
of the legislators and their staff to see how
willing we were to work with House leadership
and the concerned parties to reach a fair and equitable compromise that protected our
patients," commented Tina Russell, a recently
retired RN from Brockton Hospital and MNA
board member who participated in a number
of the State House visits. "These visits put the
face of RNs who work at the bedside on this
issue and I feel that is invaluable."
After the public hearing, RNs again visited
the State House to drive home messages from
the testimony given on Oct. 24. And then on
Nov. 14, RNs, seniors and community members
distributed a piece with photos from
the hearing showing the breadth and depth
of support for H.2059. On Nov. 20 they let
legislators know about the significant profits
the hospital industry saw in the third quarter
of FY 2007.
More visits to the State House are planned
for the winter and spring as the fight for quality
patient care continues. If you would like to
participate, please contact the MNA's political
organizer Riley Ohlson at 781.830.5740 or via
e-mail at rohlson@mnarn.org. |
