News & Events

Safe Staffing May Soon Be A Reality

Safe Staffing May Soon Be A Reality
Call to Action is NOW!
Urgent Action Alert!
State Budget Opens Door to Safe Staffing Legislation
   
MNA’s recent petition drive was a tremendous success. Thanks to your help, we gathered an unprecedented 80,000 signatures statewide in support of Quality Patient Care. Now we have an opportunity to make Registered Nurse-to-patient ratios a reality. This year’s state budget includes a section that provides an opportunity for establishing safe staffing regulations in Massachusetts hospitals. Historically, the budget process acts as a vehicle for the passage of important legislation. However, the language now in the budget needs to be strengthened.

Your legislator will be highly influential in determining the final shape of the measure. It is vital that you contact your State Representative and Senator immediately to urge him/her to back MNA’s position.

Our suggested language for the phone call is:

"Hi, my name is ____________. I am a registered nurse with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a voter in your district. I am calling to ask you to support the association’s 20,000 front-line registered nurses in our push to improve quality patient care by making RN-to-Patient Ratios law in the state budget (outside section 78). We’re grateful for your consideration of this important legislation, and we hope you’ll urge your colleagues to vote for quality patient care throughout the Commonwealth."

Our suggested postcard or email language is:

Dear Senator/Representative ___________________

I am writing to ask you to support the 20,000 front-line registered nurses of the Massachusetts Nurses Association in their push to improve quality patient care by making Registered Nurse-Patient Care Ratios law in the state budget (outside section 78). Thank you for joining our fight to protect patient safety throughout the Commonwealth.

Respectfully,
_____________________, RN
Street Address
Town/City, MA
Phone

You may also soon be receiving a mailing from the MNA with a postcard for mailing to your legislators, please do this as soon as you get the mailing. Finally, we may be calling you to take further action, such as making personal visits to your legislator or handing out leaflets.

Below are a press release, fact sheet, and additional information you can review to help familiarize you with what is happening.

  • Click here for a flyer you can print and copy to share with your colleagues
  •  Read the MNA Press Release
  • Read the Fact Sheet on this issue
  • Read MNA’s President’s Boston Globe OpEd

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Kate Anderson, who is heading up this drive, at 781.830.5713 or kanderson@mnarn.org.

 Below are a press release, fact sheet, and additional information you can review to help familiarize you with what is happening.

The following legislators will have the final vote on this issue, pending the amount of or messages of support they receive from your legislators. Please feel free to contact these legislators as well. A click on their name below will take you to their individual web sites.

House

Senate

 

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