Nursing: Political Action Report – MA
BS 290
This paper is to strengthen the role of the professional nurse in influencing the political process because an overall awareness is essential to delivering quality nursing care. As such, letter was sent to the office of Senator Patricia Jehlen on 4th April 2013 requesting an interview. Several calls followed afterwards. On April 12th a telephone response from director of legislator, Daniel Smith, confirmed the senator’s consent for a telephone interview to the student. He explained that since the 01/22/2013 the bill was referred to the committee on Elder Affairs and is still been reviewed by that department.
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Senator Patricia Jehlen has been an advocate for the elderly/disadvantaged population in Massachusetts and United States of America for many years. BS 290 is considered her bill due to her association with eldercare issues in her family and society. She has successfully initiated and fought for the passage of over 20 similar legislations in Massachusetts (The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2013).
There are actually ten steps a bill must pass through before becoming law. It is drafted. BS 290 was drafted by Senator Patricia Jehlen; introduced and referred to a committee by her. In this case it is the Elder Affairs Committee. The bill is reviewed by a subcommittee for hearing; ‘markup;’ action; voting and referreal to another chamber. By this stage it is ready for passing and veto by the President (National Institute of Health, 2013).
BS 290 is at its second stage being reviewed by the Elder Affairs Committee since 22nd January, 2013. This legislation advances protection for the elderly affected by compulsory hoarding disorder. This is a pathological dysfunction whereby people, especially, the mentally ill elderly, collect items and keeps them around their dwellings. Sometimes their environment can become very unsightly. As such, they do need a special type of protection for their safety since these items could become detrimental to their health. Besides, they are exposed to abuse due to their queer behavior (Tolin, et.al, 2008)
Precisely, BS 290 attempts to provide legislated safety by enabling health care professionals to intervene. It is actually an amendment within ‘SECTION 1. Section 14 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph: “Abuse”, an Act or omission which results in serious physical or emotional injury to an elderly person or financial exploitation of an elderly person’ (The Commonwealth Massachusetts, SECTION 1.Section 14, 2013).
Since the elderly are vulnerable to being abused by relatives and care givers BS 290 is an extension of the elderly abused act legislating interventions health care specialists ought to take when advocating for the elderly population affected with hoarding disorders. There are many forms of abuse to which elderly are exposed. The Act addresses financial exploitation; neglect to ensure safety by protecting the elderly from harmful accumulation of clutter. These omissions can create physical and emotional harm (The Commonwealth Massachusetts, SECTION 1.Section 14, 2013).
Nurses are advocates for people generally, due to their professional expertise. It is difficult to contain a person who is a compulsive hoarder. Their immediate environment is often disorganized. Seldom do they heed instructions to gather up their clutter and place them in an orderly fashion. More importantly, they are often homeless since many relatives abandon them. They either may be living on the streets or in shelters. Consequently, they are vulnerable to abuse because they are always taking up stuff without asking.
Reasons why a nurse ought to advocate for the passage of BS 290 are one to enable application of health promotion programs educating society about the disorder, creating tolerance for the condition rather than abhorrence. Also, the nurse could be the advocate in provision of safe housing with appropriate assisted living interventions for hoarders to keep them off the streets. BS 290 bill has eight more stages to go through and I would be following up closely, towards the passing keeping in touch with Senator Patricia Jehlen.
References
National Institute of Health (2013). How a bill becomes Law. Retrieved on April 24th, 2013
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2013). Senator Patricia Jehlen. Retrieved on April 24th
2013 from http://www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/pdj0
The Commonwealth Massachusetts (2013). Bill S.290. Retreieved on April 24th 2013 from
http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S290
Tolin, D. Frost, R. Steketee, G., & Fitch, K. (2008). Family burden of compulsive hoarding:
Results of an internet survey. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46, 334-344.
