Health Policy Expert Stuart Altman to headline
1999 Join Massachusetts/Rhode Island State Nurses Convention

Continuing a growing condition of regional unity and strength, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island state nurses associations are pleased to announce co-sponsorship of the 1999 annual nursing convention. Scheduled for Oct. 28 and 31, the third joint convention will be held at the Doubletree Islander Hotel in Newport, RI.

Stuart H. Altman, PhD, Sol C. Chaikin, Professor of National Health Policy at the Florence Heller Graduate School for Social Policy, Brandeis, University will open this dynamic convention on Thursday, Oct. 28. Following will be two days of cutting edge educational programming, the popular Massachusetts Nurses Foundation silent and live auction, networking luncheons and an expanded exhibit hall.

Dr. Altman is an economist whose research interests are primarily in the areas of federal health policy. His work spans decades and covers most of the policy issues that have and continue to impact all areas of nursing and health care delivery, as well as point to the future of health care delivery in the new millenium. In 1997 he was appointed by President Clinton to the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare. He has also served as the Chairman of the Congressionally legislated Prospective Payment Assessment Commission for twelve years. Professor Altman was a senior member of the Clinton-Gore Health Policy Transition Team. He testifies often before various Congressional Committees, most recently on the 1997 Balanced Budge Act and the its impact on Medicare spending for hospitals and the health care system.

With a convention theme of "Knowledge for the New Age in Nursing," we could have no better headliner to our convention than one of the architects of the policy that will shape and influence our new age.

On Friday, Oct. 29, convention attendees will be treated to an address by Nurse Ethicist Christine Mitchell, MTS, MS, RN, FAAN, a nationally known expert on ethical decision making in nursing practice, who will share her insights from her practice and her work as a consultant to the nursing community.

In addition, a the MNA Cabinet for Labor Relations will host a full-day pre-convention program on Oct. 27, entitled "Power, Use it or Lose It." The program will feature workshops and speakers on strategies for using collective bargaining to address workplace issues concerning occupational health and safety, safe patient care and poor working conditions.