Mass. voters reject mandated nurse-staffing ratios

Massachusetts voters yesterday rejected a proposal to mandate nurse staffing ratios at Massachusetts hospitals and health clinics. “What we won tonight was the ability to continue providing the best possible care for patients throughout Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association President and CEO Steve Walsh. “…For the first time ever, every major newspaper and every major patient-focused health care group in Massachusetts came to the same conclusion in this campaign. That’s why the voters empowered us to continue finding solutions together, as health care professionals.” AHA and its American Organization of Nurse Executives subsidiary supported MHA and the Coalition to Protect Patient Safety in their opposition to the ballot initiative.