We need your help in protecting MA healthcare workers by participating in the Massachusetts Call-In Day on Monday, July 10th.
Contact your Massachusetts State Legislators urging them to Protect Healthcare Workers in Massachusetts
The MA Joint Committee on the Judiciary will be holding a hearing on Tuesday, July 11th to review healthcare reform bills H795 and S765 that would prosecute assault on emergency medical technician, ambulance operator, ambulance attendant or health care provider as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Assaults on healthcare professionals has become a crisis of epidemic proportions – and one that is figuratively and literally screaming for more rigorous anti-assault laws. It is critical that these urgently needed healthcare reform bills be passed.
Massachusetts Call-in Day on Monday, July 10th
Please call or e-mail your State Legislators on Monday, July 10th and urge them to support the passage of healthcare reform bills H795 and S765. Violence should not be part of any job and the passing of this legislation will be a major step forward in protecting MA healthcare workers.
Key Information
- Assault in all forms – being punched, bitten, spit upon, groped, jumped on from behind, knocked unconscious and attacked with weapons are common day occurrences for healthcare professionals.
- Based upon a Massachusetts Nurses Association survey of more than 220 nurses it found that fear of violence and physical and verbal abuse are pervasive in Massachusetts healthcare facilities. More than 85 percent of nurses have been assaulted physically or verbally. Nurses are assaulted on the job more than police officers and prison guards, with more than 70 percent of hospital emergency department nurses reporting being assaulted during their career. [1]
- Currently 33 states have passed legislation enforcing stricter penalties, and some states have enacted regulations for mandatory workplace violence prevention programs. Not only is there a need for stricter penalties, but also for documented, mandated workplace violence prevention programs, including employee/employer training, safety and prevention, employee support, and enforced reporting protocol.
- Massachusetts lawmakers need to enact this necessary legislation that will protect workers and allow them to safely care for their patients. It’s time Massachusetts joins the list of 33 as number 34 by implementing vital legislation to protect all healthcare workers in the state.
Stop Health Care Violence thanks you for your support and advocacy on this important issue.
Citation
[1] Massachusetts Nurses Association, “Nurses, Lawmakers, Public Safety Officials to Testify at State House in Favor of Health Care Workplace Violence Bill on Tuesday, April 4”, 04/06/2017 link