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Legislative Update and Thank you for your Advocacy

On Monday, July 11th, Governor Deval Patrick signed the fiscal year 2012 budget into law. Governor Patrick approved the language and funding amount from the Conference Committee's proposal for the School Health Line Item 4590-0250, which also funds 37 School-Based Health Centers, at $11,597,967. This is near level funding for the line item, with the exception of supplemental monies for the diabetes management project and former FMAP monies - approximately $350,000.

Thank you for all your calls, emails and letters to your state elected officials! Please make certain to thank your state legislators and the Governor for level funding and for the continued prioritization of education / recognition of the contributions of school nursing in student academic achievement and support of the whole child.

The final language reads:
    4590-0250 For school health services and school-based health centers in public and non-public schools; provided, that services shall include, but not be limited to: (a) strengthening the infrastructure of school health services in the areas of personnel and policy development, programming and interdisciplinary collaboration; (b) developing linkages between school health services programs and community health providers; (c) incorporating health education programs, including tobacco prevention and cessation activities in school curricula and in the provision of school based health services; and (d) incorporating obesity prevention programs, including nutrition and wellness programs, in school curricula to address the nutrition and lifestyle habits needed for healthy development; provided further, that the services shall meet standards and eligibility guidelines established by the department in consultation with the department of elementary and secondary education; provided further, that the department shall expend the same percentage of funds for the school nurse programs as expended in fiscal year 2011; provided further, that funds may be expended to address the recommendations of the permanent commission on gay and lesbian youth, established in section 67 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, for the reduction of health disparities for gay, lesbian bisexual and transgendered youth; and provided further, that funds may be expended for the Massachusetts Model of Community Coalitions .............. $11,597,967

Thank you and please contact me if there are any comments, questions and/or clarification needed.

Pamela Rivers
President
Massachusetts School Nurse Organization

Legislator Tool Kit 2012

Massachusetts Legislative Tracking Reports (December 2011)
Includes Highlighted Bills of Particular Interest for MSNO Members


School Health Advocacy Day Archives
Helpful Legislative Information: Research/Reference Material



Massachusetts Committees of the General Court


You can access who is on what legislative committee by visiting Massachusetts Committees of the General Court. You can also use this site to follow bills and to identify your local Representative and Senator.

For reference:

Main number for the State House Senator Lobby: 1-617-722-2000
House of Representatives: 1-617-722-2800

You may ask to speak to your Senator or Representative by name or by noting the community where you live. You may also find who your senator and/or representative is by visiting www.state.ma.us.

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needs to keep the momentum. Our issues are HOT

Keep communicating with your local legislators.




Sample Letter for Communicating with Legislators


The following sample letter is intended to serve as a guide for nurses to keep politically active. Please feel free to keep it on your desk or by your telephone for quick reference when needed.


HOW TO WRITE A SAMPLE LETTER

Address the letter with proper titles:

  • The Governor: "His Excellency Mitt Romney."
  • The Lieutenant Governor: "The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey".
  • Your state senator, state representative, U.S. Senator or U.S. Congressman: "The Honorable."

Salutations: "Dear Governor, Senator or Representative..." Address: State House Boston, Massachusetts 02133




Helpful Hints
  1. Always identify yourself as a nurse and a constituent.
  2. Make reference to the bill or act you want them to support.
  3. Include brief reasons.
  4. If possible give examples.
  5. Ask for a response.
  6. When signing, include your complete name, title, organizational membership, address and telephone number. Remember that it can take just a few contacts from constituents to influence a vote in the legislature.


SAMPLE

    The HonorableRepresentative/Senator: (Name)
    Room (Room #) State House
    Boston, Massachusetts 02133

    Dear Representative or Senator: (Name)

    I am one of over 1800 school nurses in Massachusetts who is concerned with the safety and health care of the children in Massachusetts. Children attending schools today are faced not only with the usual common infectious diseases; they face the threat of other major health problems not always well understood by teachers, parents, and the communities. Special needs children integrating into the classrooms of every town have significant health and nursing needs. The administration of medication and monitoring their effects, coupled with the needs of children from dysfunctional families, further complicate the picture of school health.

    Please watch for upcoming legislation for expansion of Chapter 71, Section 3, M.G.L. or bill #. We urge you to support an act/or Bill # of providing a minimum of one school nurse for every public and non- public school building in the Commonwealth.

    Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

    Sincerely,

    Your name, RN (other credentials)
    Address and telephone number




TELEPHONE PROTOCOL

Senator Lobby: 1-617-722-2000

House of Representatives: 1-617-722-2800

  • Hello, my name is:phone
  • I live in (town):
  • May I speak to the legislative staff person?
  • I am a school nurse in (school town):
  • I am urging Senator/Representative to vote for (Bill # or Act#)



HOW TO WRITE FOR TESTIMONY

  1. Name the title of Bill or Act.
  2. Introduce yourself.
  3. Use personal experience. Your expertise is valued.
    "I am a registered nurse. I have....years experience in...."
  4. State your purpose. Know your argument. Are you for or against?
  5. Support arguments with facts. Every fact should be related to the argument. Don't go off on tangents or try to make too many separate arguments. Keep it simple. Have one central idea in mind.
  6. Give examples.
  7. Avoid quotes from someone else. They are just quotes. It does not really help to support your argument.
  8. Use short sentences. Avoid overly technical or "fancy" words.
  9. You should acknowledge the other side. Let the reader know you are aware of arguments on the other side. If you can rebut them, do so.





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