I’m as supportive of safe, widespread access to abortion as anyone but there’s no way this is legal unless it’s being prescribed by a doctor licensed to do so in that state.
Things still trickle in — I bought a cervical cap from Canada once even though it’s Rx-only in the States — but it’s not on the up and up.
Women on Web is pretty amazing at riding the legal line in order to get people access to their abortions. They will find the loopholes and use them to get people meds. Historically, they've held back in the US for a number of reasons, but they do their homework and are pretty badass. It's important to note that unlike other places you can just randomly order pills, when working with WoW, all patients are screened, they won't send pills if they don't think it's safe. They get around legalities by writing a prescription and having the pills sent from India. They've been doing this for a long time, are very good at what they do and they're not just sending pills without any contact with patients.
Man, this thread has me even more conflicted. I can see both arguments.
Me too. I also really hate ballot questions like this - I don't know enough about the needs of the staff/hospital/whatever to make a decision (and I'm actively trying!), so it seems nuts to me to leave it up to the general public to decide.
But I also think it's bollocks to put civil rights up for a vote, yet here we are.
It's been left to the public to decide because nurses have been trying to push this trough the legislature for decades and can't make headway because of the hospital lobby. Even the nurses in here who are no's in here all seem to support limits, they just aren't sure this law is perfect.
Post by PinkSquirrel on Oct 15, 2018 9:02:19 GMT -5
icedcoffee, Hospitals aren't allowed to turn people away or not help people. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) from 1986 prevents that. Further, ambulances can only be turned away in cases of a hospital being on an internal code black (internal hospital emergency) since 2009, both of those laws would supersede this. Question 1 calls for every unit to develop an acuity tool and hospital specific plans to meet patient care needs - the acuity tool would help prioritize patients who need care the most and heart attack patients would still be given priority.
If you look to studies from other states with nurse minimums ER wait times go down because there are more nurses to help AND it forces hospitals to run more efficiently often by moving more urgent cases up to the appropriate unit faster. So, if you have a heart attack, it's actually more likely for you to end up in the Cardiac unit faster with these laws than to not be seen at all. We have peer reviewed research that shows excessive nurse patient assignments are one of the main contributors to ER wait times in MA.
This is also just silly to bring up in some hospitals. I've sat in the ER at MGH for 12+hours with heart stuff and haven't been seen. People in seats around me had already passed 24 hours and were getting up near 30 before I gave up and went to NEMC. We have some of the worst ER wait times in the country (48 out of 50). More nurses is MUCH more likely to help this situation than hurt it (CA's ER wait times are now 47% shorter with nurse minimums than ours).
Hospitals will be at risk of fines if they don't meet minimums, but because a suit would have to be filed against the hospital it's not the same as writing a parking ticket - it's going to be for frequent and repeat offenders and well, the easy way to not be a repeat offender would be to realize you need more nurses if you're dipping below often.
Post by PinkSquirrel on Oct 14, 2018 9:26:27 GMT -5
I’m a yes on 1. I’ll try to pull some links, but for me it boils down to a few things
1. This law was modeled after CA. There have seriously been so many studies showing that it both improved patient care, was not the financial burden they claimed it would be and it reduced nurse burnout. I don’t believe people are talking enough about what this did for nurses in CA and how it made their jobs better. Nurses have been trying to get limits through the legislature for decades, but the hospital lobby is so large this is the only chance.
2. People are using the jan1 date to say it’s too fast to implement. If you read the bill, it calls for hospitals to submit plans to hire all the nurses. That will need to be done by Jan 1, but the reality when looking at other ballot initiatives is that we regularly don’t put things into full effect right away. You know, like recreational weed, which we were supposed to get 1/1/17 - still can’t legally buy weed anywhere because they were working out kinks. Is the law perfect as is, no, but I think it’s a massive step in the right direction and I think based on how other ballot initiatives have played out there will absolutely be time to work out those kinks.
3. People seem very concerned about the fines hospitals are going to get. The one nurse I know that’s a hard no is convinced they’ll start getting fined Day 1. That’s just not reality based on the structure of the bill. They can fine up to 25k, but have to file suit against the hospital to collect. The way it's structured is to address egregious and repeat disregard of the bill. Also, long term it will save on other fines ie more nurses have been shown to reduce hospital readmittance - MA is 6th worst in the country, that would likely improve and hospitals here would get fined less.
4. More nurses make hospitals better by so many metrics. There are an endless number of studies about the benefits of having more nurses and the benefits of nurse minimums. More nurses help hospitals run more efficiently and save money in the long run (there’s a study for this I’ll try to pull.
So for me it mostly comes down to the fact that there are literally endless studies showing limits are a good thing for nurses, patients and hospitals. Seriously, just start googling various metrics in CA, they’ve done so.many.studies. There are also just a ton of general studies on how more nurses are better and do a lot to save hospitals money. All of the data points to this being a good thing and based on ballot question question history and the way fines would be enforced I simply don’t believe all nurses will need to be hired Jan 1. I think hospitals will need to submit a plan, those plans will point to needing more time and they’ll get it.
USA Today reporter covering protests today on twitter for anyone interested.
This just sent me into a sobbing mess. It's like this one lone dude standing with women while inside there's gaggle of men prepared to do the exact opposite. I know there are certainly other men on the side of giving a shit, but damn if this picture didn't feel like a representation of that not being the norm.
Someone here said that their yearbook entry was just as bad as Kavanaugh's when it was discussed last week. I think, being the 80s, that people just didn't care? Especially for the Seniors? Different times and all that, in regards to how did it happen. I absolutely believe he's lying now about it.
That was me. The words dildo and sex were both featured among other things that absolutely do not belong in a yearbook. I went on to do reproductive justice work, so I could explain it away now as they were actually innocent jokes, but completely inappropriate for a yearbook. My where will they be in 20 years was out of control, involved me being a porn star and earned me a check in with the principal after the yearbooks came out. I hadn't written it, which I think contributed to 95% of my principal's concern. Once he realized I had given the ok for it to be included and it was not a major life goal he mostly just shrugged and was like "ok" you kids are weird. I grew up in an itty bitty town, we were ultimately all good kids and that absolutely helped us get away with a lot.
Post by PinkSquirrel on Sept 21, 2018 14:27:04 GMT -5
The reason I haven't pressed rape charges against my STBX is because I don't have the capacity to be dragged through the ringer and not believed in a he said she said battle that is more likely to make my life harder than produce justice. Before we separated it was discussed at length with more than one couples therapist and he admitted it to one of my friends (formerly his as well) when they confronted him after I told her. Even though he's admitted it to other people, I still don't feel like I would be believed. It wasn't violent, I didn't fight back, all I did was say no repeatedly and cry quietly while he was on top of me.
Women have started to contact my friends asking who my STBX is because he's creeping them out and I feel such a massive weight that I don't have the capacity, while going through the divorce process, to even consider putting myself through the hell of pressing charges right now. It is such a massively heavy weight on my shoulders and yet, the reality is that even if I went to the police, it's so unlikely he would ever face any consequences. This week has been brutal to watch, but it's at least been a solid reminder that a lot of people see no issue with men raping women and I should probably be a bit easier on myself and realize it's ok to do what I need to to protect myself right now.
All other things aside, what HS allows that kind of stuff to be printed in the yearbook? Is there no oversight?
My yearbook entry was possibly worse than Kavanaugh's - I mean you can tell he was more of a shithuman from his, but mine was probably more outwardly in need of censoring. In my case it was a small town and the teachers trusted us a bit too much. No one actually said anything to me about mentions of dildos and sex talks even after the fact - like I just don't think they ever got around to reading our personal jokes.
Post by PinkSquirrel on Sept 13, 2018 18:14:59 GMT -5
They were just updating the lines in that area. I think it was a malfunction of the new equipment or human error.
It's so bad, my Dad was driving home and passed a house right after it caught on fire. My best friend had gas in her kitchen, thought she was crazy only to go outside to find her neighbor holding her purse in tears because her basement was on fire. My cousins and other friends have had to evacuate. It may still not be done because lowering pressure in the lines will take some time. Lawrence, one of the towns, is the lowest income town per capita in MA. I am so worried for them. There are likely a lot of people there without renters insurance who will be left with nothing and they don't have the income to easily bounce back.
I bought the Bob Woodward book (via kindle) which released today. I'm looking forward to being properly horrified by it.
I preordered it from Amazon so I'm hoping it arrives today. My pile of books about this presidency just keeps growing and its kind of insane.
ETA Amazon says its not shipped yet. Boo. Amazon also says that I preordered two copies of it. Um, oops. I'm afraid to cancel one order though in case that's a mistake.
Use their chat help client. They should be able to help you make sure you just cancel one order. I'm always surprised by how helpful they are
Okay well this news is taking the edge off my Phish festie being fucking cancelled....but only a little
Watkins Glen just this evening lost the boil water advisory. There are lots of people still displaced. It sucks how all this was handled, but I hope this still happens next year (I live in a town WG-adjacent). We do like the Phish people.
I'm glad to hear the water is testing safe again! This thread was taking the edge off of being back at work post neverball until you all had to remind me the vacation I'm coming back from left a lot to be desired. I'm hoping for a redo next year
I love our new dress code. It simply designates a rectangle (across the top at the armpits down to six inches above the knee) that all people must keep covered. It’s gender neutral. The only other rule really is no drug/alcohol related slogans and such.
6” above the knee feels problematic and likely means tall girls can’t wear the same clothes their friends were allowed to wear.
How does someone who eats meat pre-plan their meals when traveling for business and going out to eat with others?
Jerky. A can of tuna. Check the menu at a restaurant you'll be going to. I don't know. What do people normally eat? Just bring that.
Again, people who DON'T eat meat do this ALL THE TIME. They eat before they go somewhere. They bring seasonings they can tolerate. They ask the chef to throw together a combination of a few sides on the menu for them.
Adults can handle their own diets, IMO.
If a vegan were to go on a week long business trip and went to a vegan friendly restaurant during down time to make sure they had food for the day, their food would still be reimbursed. Aside from paying for booze, which can be a liability issue, most companies don't try to police the type of food their employees choose to eat aside from spending limits. Adults can absolutely handle their own diets, but if you're sent away on a trip and have to pay OOP for all of your meals that feels an awful lot like a business dumping their business expenses on their employees.
If someone really has issues that might prevent them from eating a meat-free diet (IBS or Crohns comes to mind), I'm sure they pre-plan their meals and bring things they can actually eat, much like most vegans or diabetics, really.
How does someone who eats meat pre-plan their meals when traveling for business and going out to eat with others?
Post by PinkSquirrel on Jun 28, 2018 11:57:41 GMT -5
In all states people should check to see where your abortions laws will stand if/when roe falls. Go here to do that, then go harass your reps if it doesn't look good for your state.
- This is a link to the proposed bill and the info NARAL is putting out. Basically NARAL is pushing people to call their state house rep and tell them to make DeLeo put it to a vote. They're also recommending letters to the editor, there should be a toolkit by the end of the day - Not on NARAL's list, but call DeLeo's office directly and demand it be brought to vote - If you live in any of the following districts: louis kafka, mike moran, sarah peake, or ann-margaret ferrante (figure out who represents you at http://www.wheredoivotema.com), let me know - they are important targets. - I would also suggest pushing for the safe communities act and the healthy youth act while you're on the phone with your rep
Sample scripts
1. Call your representative in the Mass House of Representatives about 3 issues: Safe Communities in the budget bill, An act updating laws to protect women’s health, and An act relative to healthy youth
Hi, my name is ______________ and I am a constituent from [town/neighborhood]. I am calling to ask Representative _________ to take meaningful action on 3 pieces of legislation that are priorities to me:
I would like Rep __________ to include the amendment with provisions to protect immigrant families in the final Budget Bill
I would like Rep _____________ to support An Act Updating Laws to Protect Women’s Health (H 954) and An Act Relative to Healthy Youth (H 3704), by working to bring them to a vote and voting yes.
Do you know what Rep __________________ is doing to support these priorities?
[if yes and they are supportive]: Thanks so much! I am glad to be represented by someone who truly stands for the health and safety of their constituents.
[if yes and they are not supportive]: That’s disappointing. These are each bills that are essential to the health and safety of their constituents, and i plan to stay in touch to continue to remind Rep _______________ of the needs of those they represent. [add more personal info if you would like]
[if they aren’t sure]: I’d appreciate it if you could get information on Rep _______’s plans and get back to me. My phone number / email is ____________________.
2. Call Speaker DeLeo at 617-722-2500 and ask him to make sure all 3 issues come to a vote
Hi, my name is ______________ and I am a constituent from [town/neighborhood]. I am calling to ask Speaker DeLeo to ensure that 3 pieces of legislation that are priorities to me are brought to a vote:
I would like Speaker DeLeo to ensure that the amendment with provisions of the safe communities in included in the final Budget Bill
I would like Speaker DeLeo to support An Act Updating Laws to Protect Women’s Health (H 954) and An Act Relative to Healthy Youth (H 3704), by working to bring them to a vote and voting yes.
These are each bills that are essential to the health and safety of their constituents, and i plan to stay in touch to continue to remind Speaker DeLeo of the needs of those they represent.
3. Call Elizabeth Warren at (617) 565-3170 and Ed Markey at (617) 565-8519:
Hello, my name is {{ name }}, and I am your constituent. I am calling about the newly announced vacancy of the moderate swing seat on the Supreme Court. With fundamental progress and rights in the balance, and in the light of the Senate Majority leader’s stealing Merrick Garland’s seat through procedural obstruction, as well as the President being under investigation for collusion with a foreign adversary, I’m calling upon Senator {{ name }} to oppose and obstruct any of the President’s judicial nominees until the November midterm elections. This is an intensely important issue to me as a constituent and will heavily determine my support for the Senator and any other elected representatives in future elections.
Me too. My coworker and I were talking about it, and we've both donated to Swing Left, Emily's list, and PP this morning. We agreed that we'd hold each other accountable to make calls and send post cards and whatever the hell we can do to make sure people vote this fall, since we're in (mostly) blue MA.
Fight with your money. Fight with your vote. Fight with your protest. Fight with your words. Fight with your body.
Fight like your life depends on it. Fight like your soul depends on it.
Fight like you mean what you say. Fight like democracy matters. Fight like humanity matters. Fight like we matter. Please.
As blue as MA is we're still currently not in a good spot re: abortions. If Roe falls abortion is illegal in MA because of old laws on the books. The state senate passed a bill to fix unanimously, the house is stalling. If you want something to put on your list to call politicians about this is a good one. We should be able to get it through, but they need to stop stalling.
PPFA is not, as a general rule, great at covering a gap in funding abortions. That’s why abortion funds are vital to making sure people who lack funds can get abortions. If you want to donate to PPFA by all means do, but if your goal is to ensure people who lack funds can get an abortion, funds are the place to donate.
Is there someplace to find which funds are best? By state or locality?
Yep, the bottom of this page has a map and list of all funds by state.
I often give in honor of someone in addition to my normal contribution. This is a great reason to put IHO of someone who needs it in the memo this year I'll donate directly to her state since I'm overseas. TX needs all the help they can get! Actually, I often donate to PPFA b/c they distribute where needed. For a couple years as a volunteer I processed the donations, and PPFA gave a large chunk of our budget.
What I loved about the PP gala in NE was they'd "auction" off things like birth control for a year, and people would by 10 of them. Or x number of abortions. I thought it was a really great way to engage in the mission beyond the standard silent auctions they always have.
PPFA is not, as a general rule, great at covering a gap in funding abortions. That’s why abortion funds are vital to making sure people who lack funds can get abortions. If you want to donate to PPFA by all means do, but if your goal is to ensure people who lack funds can get an abortion, funds are the place to donate.
Have you asked a provider? You may be correct, but a lot of people in my state would not have assumed they could ask their obgyn to schedule the procedure in an outpatient surgery center.
Even in states where this is more common, it’s always more expensive to have an abortion in a surgery center or hospital than it is at a clinic. This is not a good recommendation for somone tight on funds in any state assuming they can get to a clinic.
Post by PinkSquirrel on Apr 20, 2018 9:09:26 GMT -5
I see a lot of music and it's a problem, even with the older crowd. NYE 2016/2017 I had to intervene when a 60 year old man wouldn't stop groping (grabbing her breasts, touching her arms, trying to hug her) a similarly aged woman. It took an army to keep him away. This year, same venue, I had a guy who had been hitting on me all night despite being in the middle of a my friends and standing next to my boyfriend. During second set, asshole reached his hand between my legs from behind to grab me by the pussy. I was clearly with 5 other people standing right there, but I also knew 90% of the people on the rail so he pretty much did it while I was in the middle of a group of 50 friends.
Seated at his Oval Office desk, Trump said he did not fault his son for holding the meeting, writing it off as a decision made in the heat of an upstart, non-traditional campaign.
"I think many people would have held that meeting," Trump said.
He is more involved and educated than I am about the Mid East conflict. From what he has seen, even Jews that are actively trying to improve Palestinian life are being labeled anti-Semitic
All of my practicing Jewish friends that are involved in BDS and spend decent chunks of the year traveling from the US to Palestine to help Palestinians regularly refer to what's going on as apartheid. They absolutely would have been called anti-Semitic even in here based on the way these threads have gone.