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Executive Director's Message
It's not "whether" it's "when"
we get RN-to-patient ratios into law
The proponents of RN-to-patient ratios have one
common denominator: patient advocacy. The opponents of RN-to-patient
ratios break down into two categories: those who are concerned with
corporations/money and those who want to be close to the first category.
When we first began this pursuit for safety several
years ago, we had a few legislators and four advocacy groups signed
on with the MNA to implement this safety net for patients. In 2001,
we broke away from a primary opponent of safe staffing: the ANA.
Since that time the new MNA has focused its efforts on passing safe
staffing legislation, with some very measurable dividends, including
102 legislators co-sponsoring the bill and the formation of the
Coalition to Protect Massachusetts Patients—a powerful alliance
that now includes over 70 advocacy organizations. In addition, the
bill was for the first time favorably reported out by the Joint
Health Care Committee where previously it had languished for years.
Taking another step forward, a pilot program of
the ratio bill (with a full implementation plan effective in 2007)
was passed by the Senate in their budget. While the final budget
did not include the language, make no mistake: this policy initiative
is generating a lot of interest at the Statehouse and the Senate
has already passed language and the House will have to address it
as well.
This is why it is not a question of "whether."
It is a question of "when" we will pass this legislation.
The fact is, "when" can be this session—before July 31.
The House Ways and Means Committee has the bill and can release
it favorably for a vote before this session is over. Whether or
not this occurs is largely up to you and our allies in the 70-member
coalition.
If the legislators are not hearing from you with
the clear expectation of passing the ratios before this session
ends, they will simply view it as an issue they can take up in the
next session. So we need to ratchet up the advocacy NOW to ensure
the legislators act NOW. There is no need for any patient to suffer
inadequate care because we didn’t pick up the phone, write a letter
or e-mail our legislators to let them know time is of the essence—that
the patient who are being put at risk are people’s mothers, fathers,
brothers, sisters, daughters and sons.
It is up to all of us to take the time to make
the difference.
Call, write and e-mail your legislators—and don’t
stop until the legislators vote on this issue! For details on how
to contact your legislators, check the Safe Ratios section of the
MNA Web site, www.massnurses.org/safe_care.
Our patients deserve it.
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