Monday, July 16, 2007

Great News from Massachusetts!

Massachusetts Governor Patrick approves the BHE Nursing Initiative Funding--Signs State Budget Into Law
Date: July 16, 2007
Governor Patrick signed the Fiscal Year 2008 budget into law and approved the full $3.475 million funding for the Board of Higher Education (BHE) with the $1 million funding designated for the Nursing Initiative. The Governor did veto $41 million worth of funding in over 70 line items so it is indeed great news and a credit to MONE's (Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives) continued advocacy that the BHE funding was spared from the veto/reduction list. The Legislature and the Governor increased the funding for the BHE Nursing Initiative from the current $500,000 to $1 million for Fiscal Year 2008 which began on July 1, 2007. This increased funding is essential for the Nursing Workforce Development Initiative to expand their statewide and regional programs to address the nursing shortage and increase the capacity and quality of the nursing education pipeline. MONE was pleased to partner with MHA (Massachusetts Hospital Association) and the Board of Higher Education in advocating for this essential nursing initiative funding. Much work remains and MONE hopes to assist the BHE in securing more substantial budget increases in Fiscal Year 2009 to support the unprecedented nursing initiative.

2 comments:

Mary Lou said...

Recognition and action to alter the nursing shortage is such an important step. Kudos to Gov. Patrick.

Chris said...

Ditto Mary Lou, big kudo's to the Gov. and MONE and MHA for thier support! Great news!