YES, IT’S A FAIR QUESTION to ask how much influence newspaper endorsements have in an era of declining circulation — or to wonder how much sway they have ever had for that matter. But they’re still an interesting measure of the thinking on important election contests, and Boston’s two daily newspapers offer up some surprises […]
Elections
Posted inPolitics
GOP’s Sen. Ross refuses to debate his opponent
IT’S A SCRIPT nearly every challenger in an election follows: Throw the gauntlet down for the incumbent to agree to a series of debates and then try to hold their feet to the fire for as many encounters as you can force to get attention and recognition. It’s a pattern very familiar to Republicans in […]
Posted inPolitics
Actress: Yes on Q3 would send message to nation
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT weighs changes to legal definitions around sex and gender, a vote to uphold a Massachusetts law aimed at protecting transgender people from discrimination would send a message to the nation, actress Laverne Cox told a group of educators, transgender students, and parents Wednesday. Cox, a transgender activist […]
Posted inOpinion
Why we’re voting no on Question 1
SHOULD MASSACHUSETTS establish mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in law for all the state’s acute care hospitals? This 25-year-old conflict between the Massachusetts Nurses Association and Massachusetts Hospital Association will be determined at the polls on November 6 as Question 1. We think not. We are university professors who care about Massachusetts health care policy. We both […]
Posted inOpinion
Here’s why more nurses don’t mean better care
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 […]
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 […]