Elizabeth "Betty" Little (R - Warren County), the long-time representative of New York's 45th State Senate District, which contains a large swath of the North Country and Adirondack regions of the state, has consistently been one of the biggest mouthpieces for business and corporate interests in the legislature, even when it comes at the expense of the health and public safety of the thousands of constituents she represents. Yesterday, I wrote a lengthy diary detailing
Little's opposition to banning the importation of fracking fluid wastewater from other states and requiring full disclosure of all chemicals being used in the fluids being disposed. Now, after conducting more research on Senator Little's voting record, I learned that Little was one of only two State Senators that opposed the Safe Patient Handling Act (
S.7735-A) that passed almost unanimously in 2012. What was the Safe Patient Handling Act? The
legislation required that all New York hospitals and medical clinics enact a comprehensive training program to ensure the safe handling and maneuvering of patients when receiving care by nurses and medical professionals.
There was a good letter from Sandy Stewart of Eagle Bridge to the Glens Falls Post-Star in 2012 that criticized Little's stance against the legislation:
From the Glens Falls Post-Star, July 23, 2012:
Shame on Little for opposition vote
Editor:
Wouldn’t you think New York state Sen. Betty Little would want to safeguard health care workers and their patients given she represents nearly 3,000 individuals who work at one of the largest health care organizations in the greater Adirondack region?
I thought so, and was deeply disappointed to learn Sen. Little did not support the Safe Patient Handling Act (S.7735-A) when it came to the full Senate for a vote June 21. She was one of only two senators to oppose the bill’s passage. Shame on you, Sen. Little.
According to a report issued by sponsors of the legislation, safe patient handling is critical for health care workers who are expected to manually lift and maneuver patients, and of course, to the well-being of the patients themselves. Safe patient handling is proven to significantly reduce injuries and increase morale and job satisfaction. The cost of implementing such programs has been recouped in as little as three years through savings from reduced workplace injuries. Moreover, the sponsors report health care facilities with safe patient handling programs have accrued net benefits of up to $6 million in savings over a seven-year period.
The Safe Patient Handling Act is supported by the 37,000-member New York State Nurses Association, members of PEF, CSEA, NYSUT, CWA, DC37, 1199SEIU and the state AFL-CIO, as well as representatives of other organizations.
It is imperative New York enact a comprehensive policy and practice that creates a safe environment for both patients and health care workers alike. I hope Sen. Little will rethink her “unhealthy” position and act to pass the Safe Patient Handling Act during the next legislative session.
SANDY STEWART
Eagle Bridge
The most likely reason why State Senator Little opposed the Safe Patient Handling Act legislation is that she has consistently been a major beneficiary of PAC contributions from trade groups representing hospitals and healthcare providers, who most likely would not want to incur the additional costs necessary for implementing the more extensive training programs required by the law. According to
campaign disclosure receipts from the New York State Board of Elections, since 2011, Little has received $3,000 in donations from the
Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS PAC), $1,200 in donations from the
New York State Health Facilities Association (C.A.R.E. Committee For Action) and $3,000 in donations from the
Iroquois Healthcare Alliance (UHAP PAC), a trade group representing over 50 hospitals and medical clinics across Upstate New York.