H. 4988, the new safe RN staffing bill is close to final passage… Passed the Joint Committee on Public Health 12-1 Passed the Joint Committee on Health Care Finance 11-2 Passed the House Ways and Means Committee Passed the House of Representatives 133-20 on May 24 Need to get vote and passage in state Senate by July 15 Need to go to the Governor for his signature into law

Much of this newsletter deals with ongoing concerns by Brigham and Women’s nurses about issues related to safe staffing and safe nursing practice. Right now, the MNA is close to passing H. 4988, the redrafted version of the safe staffing bill, which passed the House of Representatives and is being considered by the Senate. The hospital industry, including our administration, is doing everything it can to kill this bill. You can help make it a reality.

We need every RN in Massachusetts, and your family and friends to contact their State Senator in support of the House passed Safe RN Staffing bill, House Bill 4988.

And keep contacting your State Senator every 48 hours – the hospital industry is doing everything to obstruct passage of this bill. Let’s keep the pressure on and not let them be successful.

How it will help you

• Sets a safe limit on the number of patients assigned to an RN
• Bans mandatory overtime
• Prohibits the replacement of RNs by unlicensed personnel
• Prevents floating without proper orientation to the unit
• Prevents a reduction of ancillary staff (i.e. LPNs, Aides)
• Includes nurse faculty, education and scholarship incentives and refresher courses for nurses returning to the bedside

What you need to do
Tell your state senator this bill needs to pass!

• Phone: State Senate 617.722.1455
  
• Email: Go to http://capwiz.com/massnurses/ to email your State Senator.
  
• To Find Your Legislators: Got to: http://capwiz.com/massnurses/ and scroll down to “My Elected Officials” and enter your address.