Senate Approved Budget Includes Whistle Blower Protection For Health Care Providers.

On Thursday, June 10, 1999, the Massachusetts State Senate approved an outside section to its Fiscal Year 2000 Budget that will provide "whistle blower" protection to all health care providers (i.e. nurses, respiratory therapists, nurses aides, physicians, etc.) who complain about or report unsafe patient care conditions at their facilities.

Because the Senate language is identical to language passed in the House budget in late May, the whistle blower provisions will not be subject to review by a joint conference committee. The victory in the Senate and the House sends the whistle blower provision on to the Governor's desk, which is its final hurdle before becoming law.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association, along with other citizen and allied health care provider groups, has been lobbying for whistle blower protection for more than two years. According to the MNA, the issue of whistle blower protection for health care employees has taken on added significance in light of recent changes in the health care system (i.e., increased managed care, restructuring and downsizing, consolidation and competition) that have impacted the quality of patients' care. As these changes have occurred health care employees have reported an increase in efforts by management to silence those who speak out and/or report unsafe conditions.

For immediate comment and information on today's developments, contact Gloria Craven, MNA Director of Legislation and Government Affairs at 617.821.4625, x725, 716, or 787 or e:mail Gloria and Stacey Ober at Gcraven@mnarn.org and Sober@mnarn.org