IS A VOTE FOR QUESTION 1, which sets mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios, a vote for safer care in hospitals? At first blush, it might appear so. How can it be otherwise that prescribing specific numbers of nurses per patient be anything other than good for patients? But such a conclusion is not only simplistic, but likely […]
Elections
Posted inHealth Care
On nurse ballot measure, Dems line up with labor
THE NOVEMBER BALLOT QUESTION that would mandate minimum nurse staffing levels at Massachusetts hospitals is a complicated issue. Health care experts offered views that were sharply at odds with each other at a hearing this week of the state Health Policy Commission, with some saying the measure would unquestionably lead to better patient outcomes, while […]
Posted inPolitics
Bellotti going strong at 95
FRANK BELLOTTI IS 95, the kind of 95 you’d want to be if you live to be 95. Trim, tan, sharp of mind (but perhaps slower of gait), Bellotti joined me recently to record a CommonWealth Codcast. He is, I’m pretty sure, the oldest living former statewide office holder – he was lieutenant governor from […]
Posted inPolitics
MA Fiscal sues to block ad disclosures
THE CONSERVATIVE MASSACHUSETTS FISCAL ALLIANCE is suing to block enforcement of a state law requiring the organization to attach a list of its top five donors and a statement of responsibility from its top official to any ads or print materials that mention a politician and are sent to voters within 90 days prior to […]
Posted inPolitics
Gonzalez: Records destruction bid suggests cover-up
DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE Jay Gonzalez on Wednesday accused the State Police of attempting to cover up corruption within the agency by destroying payroll and attendance records and urged the inspector general to investigate. “This takes this scandal to a whole different level,” Gonzalez said at a press conference in front of the State House. He […]
Posted inOpinion
Question 1 bad for care, nursing education
IMPROVING PATIENT CARE and supporting healthcare workers should always be the top priorities when making changes to today’s health care system. I am a nurse and educator with 40 years of experience, and I am convinced the Question 1 ballot initiative does neither–and will in fact cause lasting damage to our entire healthcare system. As […]
Posted inTransportation
Long wait for Red, Orange Line improvements
THE MBTA’S OVERSIGHT BOARD on Monday awarded the final major contract needed to complete an overhaul of the Red and Orange Lines, but the milestone agreement was another reminder of how long it takes to implement change on the state’s transit system. The contract for new Red and Orange Lines cars was awarded in October […]
Posted inOpinion
Strapped to the status quo express
MASSACHUSETTS HAS A PROBLEM talking candidly about its transportation revenue needs. This is not a new problem. We have been in its grip for decades, and the result has been public policy based largely upon timidity, small and largely ineffective steps, and creative sound bites. Beginning in 1991, governors have often gone to great lengths […]
Posted inOpinion
MA ruling on corporate donations is a missed opportunity
THE RECENT DECISION by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court regarding corporate campaign contributions was a missed opportunity by the state’s highest court to eliminate the country’s most unfair campaign finance law. Instead of closing the union loophole, which gives an unfair advantage to unions over individuals and employers, they ruled that discrimination is constitutional. They upheld the […]
Posted inPolitics
Caccaviello to mount write-in campaign
THE INCUMBENT DISTRICT ATTORNEY in Berkshire County, who came in second in the three-person Democratic primary, says he is not giving up and plans to run for the office as a write-in candidate. Paul Caccaviello said he felt compelled to continue his campaign because of the lack of prosecutorial experience of the Democratic primary winner, […]