Ok; Let's Roll

Ok, my fellow supporters, colleagues and friends; it is time.

Many of you have cheered me on over the last eight years since the inception of Stop Healthcare Violence; particularly as I and some of my associates lobbied endlessly and tirelessly for the passage of felony legislation as a means to curb healthcare violence. Now it is time for action. 

I need you to do something for me; it's not a difficult thing and it won't take much, but it could lead to be something significant and could have a major impact on healthcare safety.

We are trying to solicit co-sponsors for Massachusetts Docket #HD 1329, An Act Strengthening the Penalty for Assault or Assault and Battery on an Emergency Medical Technician, Ambulance Operator, Ambulance Attendant or Health Care Provider. This Docket will eventually be filed as a Bill that would replace HB #1164 that was, last year, sent to study. 

Here's what I need you to do: 

Please contact your senators or representatives and ask him or her to co-sponsor this Docket.

You can find your legislator here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

And you can use the following example for your letter, email or telephone call to them:

My name is Sheila Wilson RN BSN MPH President and co-founder of Stop Healthcare Violence. I am asking you to consider co-sponsoring Docket #HD 1329 due to the increase of violence in the workplace. We as healthcare workers are being assaulted by patients, patients’ family members, and friends of the patients. 

Violence against Healthcare workers has reached epidemic levels. Health care workers experience the most non-fatal workplace with attacks on these professions accounting for nearly 70% of all non-fatal workplace assaults. You may not know but at this writing 33 states have changed their law to a felony for assaulting health care workers BUT Massachusetts is not one of them. I wonder why, especially when Massachusetts was always the leader for the health care. This legislation would increase the penalties for assaulting emergency medical technicians, ambulance operators, ambulance attendants and other healthcare workers. Punishable by up to five years in state prison.

Won't you please take five minutes to do this? I thank you in advance for your consideration. Now, let's roll.

SHEILA WILSON R.N., BSN, MPH

President, Stop Healthcare Violence

www.stophealthcareviolence.org

New Anti-Assault Bill to be Filed

A new anti-assault bill will be filed with the State of Massachusetts in early 2017. Like HB #1164, this new bill will increase penalties for assault on healthcare workers, and change the category of its crime from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Stay tuned!  

Yes! A Cheer for MNA's Support

I have the distinct pleasure of presenting the following from Donna Kelly-Williams, president of  Massachusetts Nurses Association:

Health care professionals are being assaulted at a rate four times the national average. Fear of violence and actual violence is rampant in Massachusetts health care facilities. It is clear the laws we have in place are not enough to stop the violence. A hospital should be a place where patients go to heal and nurses and other health care professionals are able to provide care in a safe environment. The Massachusetts Nurses Association is proud to partner with Sheila Wilson, co-founder of Stop Healthcare Violence, and the Massachusetts Emergency Nurse Association, in our effort to improve the safety of every health care facility in the Commonwealth.

Stop Healthcare Violence looks forward to working with the MNA in our efforts to engender a safe and supportive work environment for healthcare workers everywhere.


Sheila Wilson R.N.BSN MPH
President, Stop Healthcare Violence
www.stophealthcareviolence.org