Massachusetts Nurses: advocacy in ACTION

[RN Power Ohio]

I have been catching up on the latest with the MNA staffing legislation. I am very proud of those nurses and the patients that have joined with them in their fight for safe staffing. :typing

In February the Patient Safety Act was approved by the Public Health Committee.

http://www.massnurses.org/News/2008/03/patient_safety_act.htm

Recently, they have been airing commercials to highlight the importance of their bill: http://www.protectmasspatients.org/news/2008/tv_ad.htm

And they have set forth this challenge:

The MNA challenges the industry (MHA) to stand by its claims regarding H.1282 and to justify them. We invite any MHA or MONE representative who disagrees with our position to debate us in public on this issue. We are ready and willing to stage a televised debate on a local cable station in a community of the industry's choosing, and we'll go to any hospital, university or community center to openly debate an industry representative in front of any audience.

Bring it on! I would love to watch this debate! Wonder why the MNA is not taking them up on the challenge?

I think they are making progress! We need to keep our eye on them and learn from their advocacy and strategy!

There is a video to watch titled "MNA educational video on nurses and political action"

http://www.massnurses.org/safe_care/videopage.htm

[LMoonRN]

So has this bill moved to the Senate yet? Any update? I find this topic very interesting and I hope the bill pushes all the way through!

[Chico David, BSN, RN]

So has this bill moved to the Senate yet? Any update? I find this topic very interesting and I hope the bill pushes all the way through!

I don't have details, but I believe the industry succeeded in watering the bill down in Senate committee to the point that it is nowhere near what the MNA had hoped to achieve. Anyone know more?