THE STATE IS DUBBING IT WITH A NEW PROGRAM TO IDENTIFIED WERE UNDER SIGNIFICANT STRESS AND CONNECT THEM WITH A NEW MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP.

I'’M JOINED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND HEAD OF A PROGRAM IN VERMONT THAT IS THE MODEL FOR THE NEW PROGRAM HERE.

THAN EVER A SERIES OF HOSPITAL FAILURES COST HIS WIFE HER LIFE, PETER DEMARCO DEVOTED HIMSELF TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT TRAGEDY DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

A JOINS ME TO DISCUSS NEW STANDARDS FOR HOSPITAL SAFETY AND ACCESS THAT ARE SET TO GO INTO EFFECT.

♪ EXASPERATED BY RISING FOOD AND PRODUCTION COSTS AND LABOR SHORTAGES OF FARMERS IN MASSACHUSETTS ARE UNDER A LOT OF STRESS THESE DAYS.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY, 95% RESPONDENTS SAY THAT THE JOB IMPACTS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

THE STATE IS LAUNCHING A NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM TO TRAIN FARMERS TO SPOT THE SIGNS SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING AND CONNECT THEM TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP.

A FARMER HAS SEEN THE TOLL IT CAN TAKE ON MENTAL HEALTH.

>> HAVING ANXIETY IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS KEPT ME IN FARMING.

WHEN THERE'’S LITERALLY ANIMALS THAT HAVE TO BE FED, SOMETHING ELSE IS LIKE DEPENDING ON ME.

SO I CAN GET OUT OF MY OWN HEAD A LITTLE BIT AND IT'’S LIKE I CAN KIND OF SWITCH GEARS.

AND SO I'’M NOT JUST FOCUSING ON MYSELF.

THERE'’S SOMETHING ELSE THAT I HAVE TO GO TAKE CARE OF.

MY NAME IS MEG AND I'’M A FARMER IN MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS.

THE SHEEP THAT I RAISE ARE SHETLAND SHEEP.

I CAN SELL THEM FOR MEAT.

WE SHEAR THEM EVERY YEAR FOR THEIR WOOL.

I ALSO SELL SHEEP TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN SHEEP FLOCKS.

BREEDING FOR ME IS ALWAYS A STRESSFUL TIME, LIKE WHEN THE LAMBS ARE BEING BORN.

I'’VE SLEPT IN THIS BARN ON MANY OCCASIONS.

I'’VE SLEPT IN MY TRUCK.

COME ON, PRETTY GIRL, YOU GOT THIS.

YOU GOT THIS PRETTY GIRL.

COME ON.

COME ON.

I HAVE SO MUCH ANXIETY THAT, LIKE, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

SO IT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER TO FEEL LIKE I'’M IN CONTROL IF I'’M PHYSICALLY THERE TO LIKE, BE ABLE TO WATCH IT.

I'’VE ONLY HAD A COUPLE OF PANIC ATTACKS AS AN ADULT.

YOU GET SET OFF AND IT FEELS LIKE ALMOST LIKE WATER IS LIKE WASHING OVER YOU AND YOU CAN JUST FEEL IT.

LIKE IT STARTS AT YOUR HEAD AND IT SINKS DOWN TO YOUR TOES, AND YOU START TO FEEL A LITTLE BIT NUMB, AND YOU START TO FEEL LIKE I CAN'’T BREATHE SO GOOD.

MY HEART'’S RACING.

THERE'’S A LOT MORE TALK LIKE OPENLY, YOU KNOW, NOWADAYS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH THAN THERE HAS BEEN IN THE PAST, WHICH I THINK IS THE DIRECTION THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE MOVING IN.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE HONEST ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE.

BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE INDEPENDENT AND STRONG WILLED ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO BE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO, LIKE, RAISE THEIR HAND AND ASK FOR HELP.

♪ PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF STRESS ON THEM.

AN OLDER GENTLEMAN THAT I KNOW CHOSE TO TAKE HIS LIFE.

I MEAN, HONESTLY, NOBODY KNOWS LIKE THE EXACT REASONS FOR IT.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE STRESSORS OF POTENTIALLY NOT HAVING ACCESS TO LAND, OR NOT HAVING ACCESS TO SECURE HOUSING, AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, YOU KNOW, THE WEATHER CHANGES, OR YOUR ANIMALS GET SICK, IT CAN JUST BE A SITUATION THAT WOULD BREAK ANYBODY.

SOME PEOPLE WHO FARM IN RURAL AREAS IN MASSACHUSETTS, LIKE, THEY DON'’T HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT THEY WOULD NEED TO HELP SOLVE THOSE PROBLEMS.

♪ YOU KNOW, I HAVE SEEN FARMERS LIKE AT THEIR BRINK AND AT THEIR BREAKING POINT, AND I WISH THAT SOME OF THESE RESOURCES HAD EXISTED THEN TO SHARE WITH THEM.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU ARE STOCKED.

NICE JOB.

>> I KNOW.

>> I DO HAVE A GREAT NETWORK OF FARMER FRIENDS BECAUSE I'’VE BEEN WORKING IN AGRICULTURE FOR 20 YEARS, SO I HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT I CAN PICK UP THE PHONE TO TALK TO.

>> IF YOU HAVE, LIKE A FLOCK OF 20 EWES, I WOULD LOVE TO CONSISTENTLY BUY 12 RAM LAMBS OFF OF YOU A YEAR.

>> BUT IF I WAS A YOUNG FARMER, IF I WAS NEW TO THIS AREA, IF I CAME FROM DIFFERENT PART OF THE COUNTRY, I COULD SEE HOW YOU WOULD FEEL EXTREMELY ISOLATED AND REALLY WANT TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT IT.

EVEN JUST LIKE, TO KNOW SOMEBODY ELSE LIKE WITH A KID WHO'’S LIKE, FARMING.

I DON'’T KNOW THAT HE HAS LIKE A LOT OF CONNECTIONS, LIKE THIS WAY.

SO.

HE'’S WICKED NICE, WICKED NICE KID.

>> SO IT WAS A REALLY GOOD CONNECTION, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.

>> SO, ARE WE STILL GOING ROLLER SKATING?

IS THAT PART OF THE -- >> YEAH.

>> ONE PERSON SAID TO MY MY DAUGHTER AT ONE TIME LIKE YOU'’RE SO LUCKY THAT LIKE YOUR MOM WORKS ON THIS BEAUTIFUL FARM.

MY DAUGHTER SAID THE ANIMALS EAT DINNER BREAK BEFORE WE DO.

SO EVERY DAY ON THE FARM IS NOT ROMANTIC.

IT'’S NOT ALWAYS FUN.

IT'’S NOT ALWAYS FUN FOR YOUR PLANS TO HAVE TO GET CANCELED OR CHANGE BECAUSE AN ANIMAL GOT SICK OR SOMETHING'’S DYING.

AND, YOU KNOW, HAVING THE STATE STEP IN AND RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THEY WANT TO SUPPORT AND THAT THEY WANT TO TRY TO HELP.

IT'’S JUST MY HOPE THAT THIS COMMITMENT, LIKE, ACTUALLY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOME PEOPLE'’S LIVES.

CRAIG: TO DISCUSS MORE I AM JOINED BY ASHLEY RANDLE.

AND KAREN CROWLEY, PROGRAM MANAGER WITH FARM FIRST, PROVIDING FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO HELP WITH STRESS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

ASHLEY: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

CRAIG: THE NEW PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED AFTER YOUR PROGRAM CONDUCTED A SURVEY, RESPONDENTS SAID THEY HAD ANXIETY, HAVE REPORTED FEELING NERVOUS WERE ON EDGE.

THEY SAID A THIRD SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONTROL THEIR WORRYING.

WAS THAT RESULTS SURPRISING TO YOU?

ASHLEY: SOMEWHAT SURPRISING BUT BASED ON THE STRESSORS THAT FARMERS FACE ON A DAILY BASIS, WE KNOW THAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE WEATHER IMPACTS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS CERTAINLY HAVE IMPACTED THEM, LABOR SHORTAGES, INFLATION NOW THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

GROWING UP ON A FIFTH GENERATION DAIRY FARM, I CAN REALLY RELATE TO THOSE FARMERS AND THE STRESSORS THAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING.

CRAIG: THEY LISTED OUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE MOST STRESSFUL TO THEM WHICH INCLUDED THE WEATHER, THEY CANNOT CONTROL THAT, THERE WERE OTHER FACTORS LIKE STRESSFUL WORKING CONDITIONS, FINANCIAL STRESS, LABOR SHORTAGES.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS ARE THINGS I THINK THAT WOULD STRESS ANYBODY OUT.

ESPECIALLY FOR FARMERS WHO MAY BE PRONE TO DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY.

THIS COULD BE RIGOROUS THROUGH SOMETHING PRETTY TRY TRAGIC AT TIMES?

ASHLEY: COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, THE CHALLENGES THAT THE FARMERS ARE FACING ARE FURTHER EXACERBATED WITH INFLATION.

THE COST FOR INPUTS ON THE FARM FROM FEED, FUEL, FIBER, EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO PRODUCTION HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR INCOME IS COMING FROM THE FARM, THE FARMERS ARE FEELING THE WEIGHT AND THE PRESSURE.

CRAIG: WHAT ABOUT ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES?

A LOT OF THESE FARMERS ARE IN RURAL AREAS.

DO THEY HAVE THE ACCESS TO THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT WOULD HELP?

ASHLEY: IT DEPENDS ON THE REGION OF THE STATE AND HOW SPECIALIZED FARMING IS THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF A STIGMA ABOUT SEEKING ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OFTEN TIMES MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT FARMERS ARE FACING.

THE CAUTIONARY REACHING OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE THAT THE SERVICES THAT WILL BE PROVIDED BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WILL ACTUALLY BENEFIT THEM.

CRAIG: YOU HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE IN VERMONT FOR YEARS, ESPECIALLY AS MILK PRICES HAVE PUT A LOT OF STRAIN AND STRESS ON FARMERS.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT FARM FIRST?

OR THE PROGRAM IS AND WHY IT WAS CREATED -- WHAT THE PROGRAM IS AND WHY IT WAS CREATED?

KAREN: WE ARE PART OF A PROGRAM CALLED INVEST EAP WHICH IS AN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT SERVES A LOT OF VERMONT INCLUDING THE STATE EMPLOYEES.

THE VERMONT AGENCY OF AGRICULTURE OR THINKING FARMERS COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS TYPE OF SERVICE.

FARM FIRST WAS BORN.

WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE TO FARMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THE SERVICES ONE MAY EXPECT FROM AN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, COUNSELING, STRESS RELIEF, CONNECTION TO RESOURCES IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THE THINGS FARMERS ARE FACING.

CRAIG: DO YOU KNOW -- CAN YOU GET A SENSE OF HOW SUCCESSFUL THIS HAS BEEN IN PREVENTING SUICIDES AND HELPING FARMERS IN VERMONT DEAL WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

KAREN: PREVENTION IS SOMETHING THAT IS HARD TO MEASURE BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

WE CERTAINLY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SUICIDAL -- THINKING GOING ON?

THE PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO REACH OUT AND TALK WITH US.

IT HAS BECOME SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE OFTEN.

WE PUT A BIG EMPHASIS ON THAT PART OF MENTAL HEALTH RECENTLY.

WE JUDGE OUR SUCCESS BY HOW OUR CLIENTS FEEL ABOUT US.

WE CONSISTENTLY HAVE BETWEEN 75 AND 100 FARMERS PER YEAR WHO REACH OUT TO US.

SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK.

OFTEN TIMES THEY MAKE REFERRALS TO OTHER FARMERS AND THEIR FRIENDS.

WE HAVE BECOME A VERY POPULAR AND WELL-KNOWN PROGRAM IN VERMONT.

CRAIG: WHEN YOU GOT THOSE SURVEY RESULTS HE REACHED OUT TO PEOPLE IN VERMONT AND WORKED WITH THEM TO SET UP A NEW PROGRAM.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO ME ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE HERE?

ASHLEY: THE PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED IN 2021.

WE RECEIVED A $500,000 GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH THEIR FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK.

WE HAD THIS ON OUR RADAR FOR QUITE A WHILE BECAUSE WE WERE HEARING DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AND WE WANTED TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH VERMONT FARM FIRST BECAUSE THEY HAD A STORIED HISTORY OF WORKING WITH THE AG COMMUNITY.

WE REACHED OUT TO THEM LAST YEAR AND WE ACTUALLY WERE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THEM TO HOST TRAININGS IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR THROUGH MARCH OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL.

CRAIG: WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING IN THOSE TRAININGS?

ASHLEY: THE TWO HOUR TRAININGS TYPICALLY COVER SELF-CARE, DE-ESCALATION STRATEGIES, ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS, WE KNOW OFTENTIMES WORKING IN AGRICULTURE AND OUR ROLE AT THE DEPARTMENT WE WANT TO FIND WAYS TO HELP FARMERS AND USUALLY THE FIRST QUESTION IS HOW CAN WE HELP?

WITHOUT KNOWING FULLY ALL OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY LISTENING.

THROUGH THESE TRAININGS WE ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO WORK WITH VERMONT FARM FIRST TO DEVELOP MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOOLKITS AS WELL.

CRAIG: AS PART OF YOUR PLAN, YOU HOPE TO GET FUNDING TO HAVE A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS WHO FOCUSES AND SPECIALIZES ON WORKING WITH FARMERS AND UNDERSTANDS THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS.

THE FUNDING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE IS IN THE GOVERNOR'’S BUDGET WE ARE WAITING ON THE LEGISLATURE?

ASHLEY: THE GOVERNOR DID FILE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST AND CURRENTLY THE LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED THE HOUSE BUDGET AND WE ARE WAITING ON THE SENATE VERSION BEFORE IT ULTIMATELY GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'’S DESK FOR A SIGNATURE.

CRAIG: YOU ARE ALSO WORKING ON LAUNCHING A PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK.

YOU ARE WORKING IN VERMONT RIGHT NOW, HOW IS THAT WORKING?

HAS THAT BEEN SUCCESSFUL?

KAREN: THAT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL AND EXCITING PROGRAM FOR US BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WENT INTO NOT KNOWING HOW WELL IT WOULD WORK.

IT IS NEW AND IT IS DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM FARMERS WHO STEPPED UP AND SAID AS BUSY AS I AM I WANT TO VOLUNTEER MY TIME TO SPEND TIME WITH OTHER FARMERS AND TAKE WHAT I HAVE LEARNED AND WHAT I HAVE GONE THROUGH AND MAKE THEIR LIVES EASIER.

GIVEBACK FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF ME WHEN I WAS FIRST STARTING OUT.

WE HAVE HAD A GREAT RESPONSE, AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE PRAYED 15 PEERS AND A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS THAT WE WERE TRAINING IN MASSACHUSETTS.

WE HAVE TRAINING THAT IS MUCH MORE INTENSIVE AND THEY ARE NOW CONNECTING WITH OTHER VERMONTERS AND BEING ABLE TO IN WHATEVER WAYS, IT IS A FLEXIBLE PROGRAM.

SOMETIMES IT IS FACE TO FACE, SOMETIMES IT IS PHONE CALLS.

THEY CAN WORK OUT WHAT THEY THINK WILL BE MOST HELPFUL TO THEM.

CRAIG: OK.

I KNOW THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF RECRUITING THOSE PEERS IN MASSACHUSETTS?

ASHLEY: THE FINAL PHASE OF OUR THREE-PART PROGRAM IS THE RECRUITMENT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD A PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK.

WE HAVE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE BERKSHIRES DO BARNSTABLE COUNTY THAT HAVE ALREADY INDICATED THEIR INTEREST.

WE HAVE FORMER MEMBERS, ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH FARMERS, AND MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM WILL ALSO ARE PART OF THE PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK.

CRAIG: WHAT IS YOUR HOPE?

ASHLEY: TO BE ABLE TO HELP FARMERS AT THE DEPARTMENT, OUR GOAL AND OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE IS ROBUST AND EQUITABLE AND SAFE AND SECURE.

THAT MEANS OUR FARMERS AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY IS THERE.

WE CAN HELP FARMERS ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL AS A PEER-PEER NETWORK, SAVE LIVES, THAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL.

CRAIG: THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

.

ASHLEY: THANK YOU.

KAREN: THANK YOU.

CRAIG: EVER SINCE HE LEARNED THE DETAILS OF HIS WIFE'’S DEATH AND THE FAILURES THAT LED TO IT, PETER DEMARCO HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR REGULATIONS TO STOP WHAT HAPPENED TO LAURA FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN.

LAURA DIED IN 2016 AFTER WALKING TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET HELP FOR A SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACK.

SHE COULD NOT TELL WHICH ENTRANCE WAS FOR THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

THE ONE SHE TRIED WAS LOCKED AND THE ATTACK HAPPENED TOO QUICKLY FOR HER TO GET TO THE SECOND DOOR.

LAURA THEN CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE RIGHT DISPATCHER SHE COULD HARDLY SPEAK.

HOSPITAL STAFF AND FIND HER UNTIL 10 MINUTES AFTER SHE MADE THE CALL AND SHE HAD GONE INTO CARDIAC ARREST.

SIX DAYS LATER, SHE DIED OF A BRAIN INJURY.

PETER LEARNED OF THESE FAILURES TWO YEARS LATER AND BEGAN FIGHTING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN AS LAURA'’S LAW THAT PASSED IN 2021.

IT CREATES STANDARDS FOR SAFETY MEASURES ACROSS THE STATE.

OFFICIALS FINALIZED REGULATIONS IF YOU WEEKS BACK AND HOSPITALS HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR TO COMPLY.

PETER JOINS ME NOW WITH JAN CARPMAN AN ARCHITECTURAL SOCIOLOGIST AND A PARTNER AT CARPMAN AND GRANT ASSOCIATES.

THANK YOU.

PETER: I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING US ON AND SHARING THE WORD PEOPLE WILL BE SEEING CHANGES AT HOSPITALS WHEN THEY GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT'’S.

THEY ARE COMING PRETTY SOON.

CRAIG: CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT -- YOUR EXPERIENCE.

IT IS SO HEARTBREAKING.

YOU WROTE ABOUT IT SO BEAUTIFULLY IN THE GLOBE MAGAZINE.

SINCE THEN YOU HAVE BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT IS SOMETHING HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TIRELESSLY FOR.

WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS TRYING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

PETER: A LOT OF WORK.

A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS.

AFTER THE GLOBE PUBLISHED LOSING LAURA, THE STORY I WROTE, 10,000 WORD STORY THAT TOOK UP THE ENTIRE MAGAZINE.

THAT IS LAURA.

CRAIG: WE ALL REMEMBER THIS PIECE.

IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

SO UNBELIEVABLY HEARTBREAKING.

HE HIGHLIGHTED ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT LED TO IT.

IT WAS NOT JUST A TRAGEDY, IT WAS AN AVOIDABLE TRAGEDY.

PETER: AVOIDABLE IN EVERY SINGLE WAY.

LAURA HAD EVERY THING THAT COULD GO WRONG TO GO WRONG FOR HER.

FROM THE MOMENT SHE STEPPED FOOT ON THE CAMPUS, THE SIGNAGE WAS CONFUSING.

IT WAS DARK.

THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY SIGN OVER ANY DOOR FOR HER TO GO TO.

THERE WAS NO ONE AT THE SECURITY DESK TO SEE HER ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERA.

THE LIST GOES ON.

I WROTE THE STORY AND I THOUGHT THAT WOULD CREATE CHANGE.

PEOPLE WOULD READ ABOUT LAURA AND EVERYTHING WOULD CHANGE.

AFTER THERE WAS AN INITIAL RUSH OF PUBLICITY AND PEOPLE WERE OUTRAGED PEOPLE UPSET MESH AVERAGE -- AND PEOPLE WERE UPSET.

THIS IS IN NOVEMBER 2018, I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION.

IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT STORIES THEMSELVES DO NOT CHANGE THINGS, PEOPLE CHANGE THINGS.

THAT IS WHEN I MADE THE DECISION TO TRY TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE ELSE EVER DIED AS SHE DID.

FROM THAT, MY LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES, SENATOR JAYLAND, OF SOMERVILLE, AMAZING PEOPLE.

I WALKED INTO THEIR OFFICE AND THEY ASKED HOW I COULD HELP.

THAT IS HOW WE FILED LAURA'’S LAW AND THAT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

IT HAS TAKEN THAT LONG TO GET HERE.

CRAIG: WHAT TOOK SO LONG?

PETER: PART OF THE REASON WAS IT TOOK TWO YEARS TO PASS THE LAW.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, HALF OF THE LAW WAS PASSED.

ONE OF THE ONLY BILLS TO PASS.

AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS TAKES TWO YEARS, THAT WAS ACTUALLY FAST PEOPLE TOLD ME.

PEOPLE HAVE SAID WE CANNOT BELIEVE YOU DID THIS IN ONE TRY.

AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAW ITSELF DID NOT ACTUALLY DIRECT HOSPITALS TO CHANGE ANYTHING.

IT ORDERED THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO CREATE THE NUTS AND BOLTS REGULATIONS.

REGULATORY PROCESS IS A WHOLE NOTHER GAME.

THEN THERE'’S THE REGULATORY PROCESS.

PART OF THAT WAS ALSO DELAYED BY COVID.

WE WERE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY WHEN LAURA'’S LAW PASSED.

THE REVELATORY PROCESS IS SLOW, IT IS METHODICAL, STEP-BY-STEP, THERE ARE HEARINGS, PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THAT IS ALL OVER NOW.

CRAIG: IT HAPPENED.

FARM FIRST WE ARE HERE --PETER: WE ARE HERE.

I TOLD A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAID YOU DID ALL OF THIS, YOU HELPED DO THIS.

I TELL PEOPLE THAT DO NOT EVER FILE A BILL!

IT IS SO DIFFICULT.

THERE IS SO MUCH WORK.

YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES INTO IT.

DO NOT EVER FILE A BILL UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LAURA, MY WIFE WHO I LOVE SO DEARLY AND WHO IT SHOULD BE HERE TODAY.

OF COURSE I HAD TO.

I HAD TO STAY WITH IT.

I HAD A LOT OF HELP.

THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY.

WE FINALLY HAVE REGULATIONS AS OF APRIL 3RD.

HOSPITALS HAVE ALL OF THE NUTS AND BOLTS DIRECTING THEM ON WHAT CHANGES THEY NEED TO MAKE.

THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE THING TO SAY.

CRAIG: WHAT CAN WE DO?

HOW CAN WE MAKE HOSPITALS -- HOSPITAL ERS EASIER TO FIND IN THESE MOMENTS OF CRISIS WHEN WE NEED THEM RIGHT AWAY?

JAN: SOME AT A LARGE SCALE AND SOME AT A SMALL SCALE.

A LARGE SCALE WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED, ON A HOSPITAL CAMPUS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

IF YOU CAN SEE IT AS YOU DRIVE UP, IT IS MUCH EASIER TO FIND IT.

IF IT IS LOCATED AROUND THE BACK OR UNDERNEATH A PARKING GARAGE OR AROUND A CORNER, IT IS MUCH HARDER.

AS A LOCATION, THE PLANNING OF A SITE IS ONE THING.

THERE ARE SIGNS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

SIGNAGE.

GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE CAMPUS, DIRECTING THEM TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, AND CONTINUING TO DIRECT THEM.

THE CALL THIS REINFORCEMENT ASSIGNS AS THEY GO SO THERE IS NO PLACE QUALITY DECISION POINT WHERE THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION WHERE THEY DO NOT HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT WHICH WAY.

GO STRAIGHT, RIGHT, OR LEFT.

THE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PARK AT THE OUR PARKING.

IF THEY ARE WALKING IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

THEY NEED TO GET FROM PARKING OR ON FOOT TO THE EMERGENCY ENTRANCE.

AT ENTRANCE NEEDS TO BE LIGHTED WELL ENOUGH AT NIGHT, AT DUSK, DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND DURING THE DAY.

THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IDENTIFICATION SIGN EASILY READABLE FROM A DISTANCE WITH GOOD CONTRAST BETWEEN THE LETTERS AND THE BACKGROUND THAT SAYS EMERGENCY.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH THEY NEED TO SAY IT IN SPANISH ALSO OR ANOTHER LANGUAGE ALSO.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.

IF THEY LOCK THE DOORS AT NIGHT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN INTERCOM SO THAT A PATIENT OR A FAMILY MEMBER CAN SPEAK WITH SOMEBODY FROM THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET IN.

CRAIG: THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF CANDLES HOSPITALS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO MAKE IN ORDER TO -- REQUIREMENTS HOSPITALS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE.

PETER: ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS WOULD HAVE HELPED LAURA THAT NIGHT.

I THINK.

ALSO, I THINK ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS SOUND BASIC.

TO HAVE THE SIGN THAT IS CLEAR.

TO HAVE A DIRECTIONAL SIGN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THE SECURITY DESK.

OR LEASE SOMEONE WAS 24 HOUR SURVEILLANCE IN AREAS THAT HAVE PATIENTS THAT THEY CAN GO TO.

HAVE A GPS POINT FOR YOUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

IF IT IS LOCATED ON A DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE BUILDING, THE MAIN HOSPITAL ENTRANCE, THIS HAPPENS A LOT.

IT HAPPENED IN LAURA'’S CASE.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WENT TO A DIFFERENT ADDRESS WHEN THEY WERE CALLED TO RESPOND TO A 911 CALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ADDRESS FOR THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

ALL OF THESE THINGS SOUND SIMPLE BUT THERE WERE NO REGULATIONS.

THERE WERE NO REQUIREMENTS.

HOSPITALS HAD BEEN LEFT TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN AND FOR SURE, SOME HOSPITALS HAVE DONE TERRIFIC JOBS AT THIS.

AS LAURA'’S STORY SHOWS, AS WE ALL KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE GOING TO A HOSPITAL FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY ARE CONFUSING PLACES.

I THINK POSSIBLY TOO MANY HOSPITALS HAVE FORGOTTEN TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE HOSPITAL LOOKS LIKE THROUGH A PATIENT'’S EYES.

THEY FORGET THAT IT DOES NOT, IT STARTS THE MOMENT THEY SET FOOT ON THE PROPERTY AND WHEN THEY ARE IN CRISIS WITH MINUTES TO SPARE TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT DOOR TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

JAN: HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR WAY DURING AN EMERGENCY IS DIFFERENT THAN HOW YOU FIND YOUR WAY DURING A REGULAR SITUATION.

CRAIG: DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN THIS SITUATION?

JAN: ON A TIP I WOULD HAVE IS TO THINK ABOUT IT IN ADVANCE.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN AN EMERGENCY.

TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM TO YOU AND WOULD THERE BE IF YOU ARE HAVING CHEST PAIN WOULD YOU GO TO ONE PLACE?

IF YOU ARE HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK WOULD YOU GO TO ANOTHER PLACE?

NOT ALL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS TREAT ALL EMERGENCIES THE SAME.

ANOTHER WOULD BE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF AN AMBULANCE?

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE AN AMBULANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE COST.

AGAIN WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN THE SITUATION JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT WOULD THE COST BE SO THAT I KNOW IT IS COVERED IF I NEED TO, I CAN TAKE IT.

IF YOU END UP WALKING OR DRIVING A CAR, IT IS IMPORTANT I THINK TO TRY TO FIND YOUR WAY UNDER REGULAR CONDITIONS.

NOT IN AN EMERGENCY SO YOU CAN SEE WHERE THINGS ARE, FIND YOUR WAY, THIS IS WHERE I PARK AND GO IN.

FOR THAT IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND SO THAT IF AN EMERGENCY COMES TO PASS TO HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY WITH IT.

CRAIG: CAN YOU TELL ME AFTER THIS JOURNEY YOU HAVE BEEN ON WITH WHAT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE THIS ACTUALLY GOING INTO EFFECT?

PETER: IT IS DIFFICULT IN WAYS.

THIS IS LAURA, THIS IS HER DEATH, TALKING ABOUT HER DEATH FOR FOUR YEARS AS AN ADVOCATE HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

I THINK I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE AT THIS POINT, I AM LEARNING TO TAKE PEOPLE'’S CONGRATULATIONS BECAUSE WE, I SAY WE, WE GOT SOME REAL CHANGE MADE IN LAURA'’S NAME.

THIS CAN HELP ANYBODY HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK, ANYONE WHO IS RUSHING.

I HAVE HAD ON MY REFRIGERATOR A -- SINCE THE DAY I STARTED WRITING LAURA'’S STORY I HAD A MAP OF THE HOSPITAL AND I HAD NEXT TO IT A LITTLE PURPLE STICKER.

PURPLE WAS HER COLOR.

I JUST WROTE THREE WORDS, DO NOT LET UP.

MAYBE NOW I CAN THINK ABOUT TAKING THAT DOWN.

CRAIG: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪