Massachusetts is known globally for its outstanding health care. The health care industry is one of the largest sectors of the State’s economy. In recent years, health care workers have made up approximately twenty percent of the Massachusetts workforce, and industry-wide growth is projected to continue over the next decade.
Not surprisingly, health care employment issues are numerous, complex and, sometimes may involve patient safety and other risks to public health. As discussed below, the Massachusetts Health Care Whistleblower Act, M.G.L. c. 149, § 187 (“Whistleblower Act”), encourages the reporting of patient safety and public health issues and provides robust protections to health care workers who engage in certain legally protected whistleblowing activities.
Under the Whistleblower Act, the term “health care provider” is defined broadly and includes, without limitation, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physicians, physician assistants, chiropractors, dentists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, optometrists, pharmacists, podiatrists, psychologists and social workers and “any other health care provider who performs or has performed health care related services for and under the control of a health care facility for care-related services.”[1]
The Whistleblower Act prohibits a health care facility from refusing to hire, terminating or taking other retaliatory action against a health care provider...
It looks like this page was accessed through a third-party service designed to bypass site restrictions. To protect our content and the people who create it, access from these tools isn't allowed.