On November 6th, Massachusetts voters will consider Ballot Question One, which would set rigid, one-size-fits-all government-mandated nurse staffing levels at all hospitals across the Commonwealth, in all units, at all times. Earlier this year, Massachusetts Senior Care joined the Coalition to Protect Patient Safety in opposition to the proposed hospital nurse staffing ballot question. Mass Senior Care is extremely concerned that the ballot initiative would exacerbate the current nurse shortage in long term care facilities, as long term care nurses would be recruited to hospitals in order to meet the mandated staffing requirements proposed in Question 1.
“Direct care nursing staff are the vital backbone of our long-term care system, and even today we are in urgent need of additional nurses to ensure and meet the care needs of our seniors,” said Massachusetts Senior Care President Tara Gregorio. “We are extremely concerned that Question 1 will decimate our already fragile long-term care system by recruiting away long-term care clinicians to meet the potential new hospital staffing mandates.”
We urge all members to please join us in protecting patient safety and VOTE NO on Question 1 in November. Taking action is easy and the campaign will work with you directly to get the wheels in motion. Learn how you can take action and get involved by clicking here: https://www.protectpatientsafety.com/senior-care/