Ballot Question Information from the League of Women Voters of Bedford

Submitted by The League of Women Voters of Bedford

The League of Women Voters of Bedford offers the following information for Bedford voters on the questions that will appear on the ballot on November 6, 2018.

Additional information can be found in the red book mailed to all households by the MA Secretary of State’s office and at the website https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele18/ballot_questions_18/ballot_questions18.htm.

Question 1: Patient-to-Nurse Limits

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SUMMARY:  This proposed law would limit how many patients could be assigned to each registered nurse in Massachusetts hospitals and certain other health care facilities.  The maximum number of patients per registered nurse would vary by type of unit and level of care, spelled out in detail in the question. The proposed law would require a covered facility to comply with the patient assignment limits without reducing its level of nursing, service, maintenance, clerical, professional, and other staff.

A YES VOTE would limit the number of patients that could be assigned to one registered nurse in hospitals and certain other health care facilities.

A NO VOTE would make no change in current laws relative to patient-to-nurse limits

Proponents say that the quality of care for patients has been shown in studies to “decrease dramatically” when nurses care for too many patients at once.

Opponents say that the rigid guidelines for staffing ratios place patient care and safety at risk and create a massive annual unfunded mandate of over $1 billion.

The League’s stated goal for health care is: “An affordable health care system that provides equal access to quality health care for all.”  One side on this ballot question argues this measure provides for quality health care; the other side argues this measure would damage the health care system financially and make care unaffordable. League of Women Voters of Massachusetts’s position could be interpreted to support both sides, and so LWVMA is not taking a stand on this question.

Question 2: Commission on Limiting Election Spending and Corporate Rights

SUMMARY: This proposed law would create a citizens commission to consider and recommend potential amendments to the United States Constitution to establish that corporations do not have the same Constitutional rights as human beings and that campaign contributions and expenditures may be regulated.

A YES VOTE would create a citizens commission to advance an amendment to the United States Constitution to limit the influence of money in elections and establish that corporations do not have the same rights as human beings.

A NO VOTE would not create this commission

Proponents say that wealthy Americans and special interests are using money to access and influence politicians in ways that ordinary Americans cannot.

Opponents say that the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court expand Freedom of Speech to all entities and organizations and that this protection should be “preserved and expanded at every possible opportunity.”

The League of Woman Voters of Massachusetts supports Question 2 and urges a YES vote.

Question3: Transgender Anti-Discrimination

Do you approve of a law summarized below, which was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate on July 7, 2016?

SUMMARY: This law adds gender identity to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in places of public accommodation, resort, or amusement. Such grounds also include race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, disability, and ancestry. A “place of public accommodation, resort or amusement” is defined in existing law as any place that is open to and accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public, such as hotels, stores, restaurants, theaters, sports facilities, and hospitals. “Gender identity” is defined as a person’s sincerely held gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not it is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.

A YES VOTE would keep in place the current law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity in places of public accommodation.

A NO VOTE would repeal this provision of the public accommodation law.

Proponents say that keeping in place the current law “keeps Massachusetts welcoming and fair; prevents discrimination in places like stores, restaurants and hospitals; protects transgender youth and adults; and lets transgender  people go about their daily lives, including in restrooms …”

Opponents say that repealing the current law would “prevents men from entering women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, and intimate spaces”.  The current law makes “women and girls feel unsafe…”

The League of Woman Voters of Massachusetts supports Question 3 and urges a YES vote. The League supports equal rights for all. Our goal is to secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all and to promote social and economic justice, and the health and safety of all Americans. 

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