Dear Editor:
A bill mandating public disclosure of nursing levels at hospitals, clinics and nursing homes has recently been introduced in New York State, with the New York State Nurses Association endorsing it, stating that the public has a right to know when they go to a hospital or nursing home what they can expect from such indicators as bedsores, patient falls and medical errors related to nurse staffing.
The bill for disclosure has been in conjunction with newspaper Daily News series finding that city-run hospitals have not reported medical errors including some fatal ones.
In attempting to defeat this bill the lobbyists maintain that this is not the time for disclosure when there are significant budget cuts and financial challenges on the horizon.
As usual, financial considerations are given priority over the safety of the people and, in particular, the ominous specter of the devouring lobby is present, once again, to remind us that the will of the people remains subservient to the bankroll of those who are in a position to purchase their desires.
Will that time ever arrive when a regard for human suffering is more important than the worship of a dollar bill or are we destined to remain captives to those who have the wherewithal to influence unprincipled men and women in political power.
Howard Lawson