Description: David Boeri reports that midwives at Boston City Hospital have been locked out by the hospital administration in a dispute over hospital policy. Boeri notes that the lockout is probably a reaction to the mass resignation by the midwives two weeks ago. Dr. Kenneth Edelin (Chief of Obstetrics, Boston City Hospital) has restricted midwives to the delivery of uncomplicated pregnancies. The midwives accuse Edelin of restricting midwifery practice at the hospital and abandoning their commitment to poor women. A protest gathering of nurse midwives and expectant mothers outside of the hospital. Anna Fernandez (mother), Lisa Nesbitt (expectant mother), Virginia Taylor (BCH nurse midwife), Joanna Rorie (nurse midwife), and Dr. Louis Laz (former Director of Obstetrics, BCH) address the gathering. Interview with Rorie who defends the safety record of nurse midwives and Laz who criticizes the hospital policy. Interview with Edelin, who responds to the accusations of the midwives and to charges that many obstetricians have resigned in response to his leadership style. Boeri notes that midwives are an integral part of the city's plan to provide quality care to poor women. This edition of the Ten O'Clock News also included the following item: Christy George reports on a discrimination suit filed against the Boston Housing Authority
1:00:05: Visual: Shots of women and their babies gathered outside of Boston City Hospital. David Boeri reports that 20% of the women who deliver their babies at Boston City Hospital (BCH) are attended by midwives; that midwives are an integral part of the city's plan to provide quality care to poor women. Boeri reports that women gathered at BCH today to support midwives. V: Footage of Anna Fernandez (mother) addressing the crowd of women and children. Fernandez says that midwives deserve support. Shots of women and babies at the gathering. Boeri reports that midwives were locked out of the hospital on Monday; that expectant mothers will not be attended by their midwives during the lockout. V: Footage of Lisa Nesbitt (expectant mother) addressing the gathering. Nesbitt is crying as she says that she was promised a midwife for her delivery. Boeri reports that midwives say that the lockout is a vindictive reaction to their mass resignation of two weeks ago. Boeri notes that the midwives were protesting hospital policies; that the midwives accuse Kenneth Edelin (Chief of Obstetrics, BCH) of abandoning poor women. V: Shots of midwives gathered outside of the hospital entrance; of midwives studying a document as they stand outside of the hospital; of a woman hugging Nesbitt as she finishes speaking. Footage of Virginia Taylor (BCH nurse midwife) saying that BCH physicians have tried to restrict midwifery practice at the hospital; that hospital policy limits womens' choice of midwives. Footage of Edelin saying that neither he nor any of the physicians on staff are against midwives. Edelin says that the midwives must practice within the scope of hospital protocol and the laws of Massachusetts. Boeri reports that Edelin says that nurse midwives are limited to the delivery of uncomplicated pregnancies; that nurse midwives are practicing outside of the law. V: Shots of a nurse midwife walking into an examination room; of a nurse midwife talking to an African American patient. Boeri reports that midwives say that they are operating within the law and with a great safety record. V: Footage of Joanna Rorie (nurse midwife, Dimock Community Health Center) addressing the gathering. Rorie says that doctors consider labor as a potential disaster instead of as a natural process. Shot of Dr. Louis Laz (former Director of Obstetrics, BCH) addressing the gathering. Boeri notes that half of the obstetricians at BCH have resigned in protest of Edelin's leadership. V: Footage of Laz saying that the obstetricians who have resigned are united in their support of the midwives. Laz says that the BCH is no longer pursuing its goal of providing model care to inner city women. Footage of Edelin saying that the obstetricians resigned because he refused to turn his conference room into offices for the obstetricians. Edelin says that he does not want to respond to the obstetricians and midwives who say that they resigned over his leadership. Shot of a sign for BCH. Boeri reports that Edelin is confident that he will be able to replace the obstetricians and midwives who have resigned; that the crisis at BCH will pass. Boeri notes that Edelin says that he is committed to providing quality care. V: Shot of an ambulance with its sirens blaring; of the midwives and mothers gathered outside of BCH.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/17/1988
Description: David Boeri reports on the Bank of Boston's new mortgage program for low- and moderate-income city residents. President of Bank of Boston Ira Stepanian and Robert Mahoney announcing the new program to the media at a press conference at a Roxbury branch of the Bank of Boston. Boeri reviews the terms of the program. He notes that many houses in the area are not eligible for the program because their sale prices are too high. Interview with Roxbury resident Diana Strother, who says that many residents do not make enough money to take advantage of the program. Interview with Leon Wilson from the Bank of Boston about the terms of mortgages under the program. Boeri notes that the units in the Fort Hill condominium complex are too expensive to qualify for the Bank of Boston program. Interview with Boston resident Alvin Wilkins and realtor Eve Moss about housing prices in the area. Interview with Bruce Marks from the Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union. Marks calls the Bank of Boston program a "public relations scam" if it does not truly help low-income residents with followup steps.
1:00:03: Visual: Footage of Ira Stepanian (President, Bank of Boston) speaking to the media at a Roxbury branch of the Bank of Boston. Stepanian says that the Bank of Boston would like to help to solve some of the city's problems. Shots of media and audience members listening to Stepanian. David Boeri reports that Stepanian talked about the Bank of Boston's new mortgage program for city residents. Boeri notes that the new program is called First Step With Rate Advantage. Boeri describes the terms of the mortgages offered under the program. Boeri reports that the first year's rate is 8.65%; that the maximum purchase price cannot exceed $140,000 for a single unit; that the maximum purchase price cannot exceed $185,000 for a two-family home; that the maximum purchase price cannot exceed $225,000 for a three-family home. Boeri notes that individuals making $35,000 or less are eligible for the program; that families making $45,000 or less are eligible. V: On-screen text details the terms of the mortgages offered under the program. Footage of Robert Mahoney (Bank of Boston) addressing the audience at the Roxbury branch of the bank. Mahoney says that the program serves the needs of a certain segment of the population. Shots of African American women in the audience. Boeri notes that some Roxbury residents say that the program is out of reach for them. V: Footage of Diana Strother (Roxbury resident) saying that Roxbury residents pay the highest rents in the city; that the average income in Roxbury is $15,000. Strothers says that most Roxbury residents do not make enough to take advantage of the program. Footage of Leon Wilson (Bank of Boston) being interviewed by Boeri. Boeri notes that it is difficult to find a house for $140,000 in this neighborhood. Boeri asks about monthly mortgage payment on a $140,000 house. Wilson says that residents would pay $1,100 per month if they made a downpayment of $14,000. Boeri reports that it is hard to find houses which meet the eligibility requirements of the program. V: Shot of a condominium complex in Fort Hill with units for sale. Shot of Boeri talking to a small group of people on the front porch of one of the Fort Hill condominium buildings. Boeri notes that condominium units in a Fort Hill development are selling between $149,000 and $165,000. Boeri notes that the condominiums do not meet the eligibility requirements of the Bank of Boston program; that the condominiums are not affordable for many residents. V: Shot of homes on a residential street. Footage of Alvin Wilkins (Boston resident) being interviewed by Boeri. Boeri asks Wilkins if it is possible to find homes for $140,000 in the area. Wilkins says that homes selling at $140,000 need a lot of repair. Wilkins says that it is impossible to find a home which is ready to move in to at that price. Footage of Eve Moss (realtor) saying that the average mortgage payment for one of the Fort Hill condominiums is $1,200. Moss says that it is difficult to make those mortgage payments on a salary of $45,000 or less. Footage of Wilson saying that the Bank of Boston is trying to provide an opportunity for some people to own a home. Footage of Bruce Marks (Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union) says that the Bank of Boston is pulling a public relations scam if they are trying to bill the program as an example of a low- and moderate-income home ownership program. Marks says that he would like to see a program which is truly aimed at low- and moderate-income people. Footage of Mahoney addressing the audience at a Roxbury branch of Bank of Boston. Boeri reports that many hope the program's next step will be a bigger one.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 05/10/1989
Description: Nancy Jamison runs Fair Foods Inc. to collect surplus produce & perishables, and sell them at very low prices to needy people. Bins of bread, crates of vegetables, buyers in line. Truck unloading. Hunger.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/20/1990
Description: Reps. Sullivan, Ruane propose FY91 spending cuts instead of raising taxes.Voke, Bosley, McDonough oppose it. Human services lobby submits poor people's budget.Blood drive sign.State House exterior.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/25/1990
Description: Interview with Tufts sociologist Peter Dreier on “interlocking directors.” He explains that the composition of corporate boards is limited largely to white males who do not represent those affected by their policy choices. Women, poor people and ethnic minorities are excluded and their interests are not protected. The “old boys” network makes decisions that perpetuate each other's wealth inasmuch as the same small group of men are on the boards of all the large Boston banks, utilities and big businesses. There are conflicts of interest. Nuclear power plants were endorsed and financed by such groups though they are found to be unsafe and unprofitable. Dreier calls for demographically broadening board membership and raising corporate consciousness about welfare of the community. Explains the way banks redlining creates slums. Dreier says that there should be a Freedom of Information Act for big business, like there is for the government.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 10/06/1983
Description: Deborah Weinstein and AFDC recipients present "poor people's budget" to safeguard welfare benefits and human services in the state budget.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/20/1989
Description: Meg Vaillancourt interviews Geneva Evans (working mother) and Jason Evans (son of Geneva Evans) in their home. Evans describes her experiences as a working mother. She says that she cannot support herself and her son on her salary. Evans explains that she is not allowed to work if she goes on welfare; that welfare benefits alone are not enough to live on, especially with the cost of health care. Evans says that she has not felt the effects of the economic recovery. She accuses Ronald Reagan of taking food from her son's mouth. Evans promises to vote against Reagan. She criticizes the government's policy of cutting welfare benefits for people who work part time. Geneva Evans and Jason Evans have a snack at their kitchen table. Jason tells Geneva about his day at school. Jason says that he hopes Walter Mondale will win the presidential election. Jason Evans and a girl walking outside of the Evans' apartment building.
1:00:04: Visual: Meg Vaillancourt sets up an interview with Geneva Evans (working mother) in her home. Vaillancourt asks Evans about her experiences while on welfare. Evans says that her welfare benefits were cut in 1982; that she had been working part time while on welfare; that she had been earning $113 per week. Evans says that she made do with her small salary; that she no longer needed a babysitter because her son entered school. Evans says that she received no aid to pay her rent; that her son was no longer eligible for the meal program at school. Evans says that she lost her welfare benefits, her food stamps and her medicare; that she had to switch medical clinics for her son's allergy treatments. Evans says that her son could no longer attend the South End medical clinic where he was receiving treatment; that her son was cut off from the food program at his daycare facility. Evans says that she got a part-time job, which was allowed under the welfare program; that her welfare and medicare benefits were cut off. Vaillancourt asks Evans if she is better off than she was four year's ago. Evans says that she is worse off than she was before Ronald Reagan (US President) was elected. Evans says that she is paid $188 per week before taxes; that she makes $152 per week after taxes; that she pays $210 per month in rent. 1:05:06: V: Vaillancourt asks Evans how she survives. Evans says that purchases her son's school clothes on layaway at Zayre's (local discount store). Vaillancourt asks Evans her opinion on Reagan's welfare policy. Evans says that she is capable of working; that she would like to work part-time and still receive welfare benefits; that she cannot support herself and her son on her salary. Evans says that she is not eligible for food stamps. Evans talks about the expense of buying clothes for her son. Vaillancourt asks Evans if she has considered going back on welfare. Evans says that she would make less on welfare than she makes now. Vaillancourt asks Evans to comment on Reagan's claim that the economic recovery has brought inflation and unemployment down. Evans says that she has not felt the effects of the economic recovery; that she has not seen an increase in her paycheck; that food prices have not declined. Vaillancourt asks Evans how she will vote in the elections. Evans says that she will vote for Mondale; that she wants to vote Reagan out of office. Evans says that she and her son have suffered from being cut off from food stamps and medicare; that Reagan has "taken food out of my son's mouth." Vaillancourt closes the interview. 1:09:14: V: The camera crew takes cutaway shots of Vaillancourt and Evans. Evans talks about how she survives on a small weekly paycheck. Evans talks about how she is hoping for a small raise in her salary as a "homemaker." Evans talks about the government's policy of cutting welfare benefits for people who work part time. 1:10:37: V: The camera crew sets up a shot of Evans and her son in the kitchen. Jason Evans sits at the kitchen table while Geneva Evans prepares a hot drink. Shots of Jason Evans sitting at the table. Jason Evans talks about his day at school. Geneva Evans gives her son some crackers. Geneva Evans sits down at the table across from her son. Geneva and Jason sit and talk. Shot of Geneva Evans drinking coffee; of Jason Evans eating crackers. The crew asks Geneva Evans to talk about the interview. Geneva Evans asks Jason if they are better off now than they were four years ago. Jason says that he thinks that they are better off now; that he hopes Mondale wins the election. Geneva Evans says that Jason does not fully understand the question. Jason says that Reagan got off to a good start in the campaign; that he does not know who will win. 1:16:10: V: The camera crew sets up a shot of Geneva Evans and Jason at the entrance to their apartment building. Jason and a girl exit the building. Geneva Evans tells Jason to be home in time for supper. Jason and the girl walk away from the building in the rain.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/30/1983
Description: Welfare mother tells why workfare is an incentive for her. Reps. Greg Sullivan and Nicholas Paleologos tell why they sponsor workfare bill. ET participants learn to type on word processors.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 07/13/1990
Description: Project Bread raises money for food for needy people by selling spoons decorated by children. Canned goods being placed on shelves in Somerville food pantry. Hunger.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/30/1989
Description: David Boeri reports on Project Mattapan, which is a community-based prenatal care program aimed at reducing the infant mortality rate in Boston. Boeri notes that the infant mortality rate is very high in the city of Boston. He adds that the infant mortality rate in the African American community is 2.5 times the rate in the white community. Boeri interviews June Cooper (Community Health Associate) and John Ramsey (Boston Foundation) about the program. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan is a yearlong project funded by the Boston Foundation. Boeri notes that the program will provide outreach to poor and uneducated women in an effort to combat premature births and low-birth weights. Boeri's report is accompanied by footage of women and health care workers at a health care center, by footage of infants at a hospital nursery, and by footage of children at an urban playground.
1:00:03: Visual; Shot of children playing at an urban playground. Shot of a woman standing at the window of an apartment, holding a baby. David Boeri reports that Boston is the medical capital of the world; that the infant mortality rate in some African American neighborhoods is as high as the infant mortality rate in third-world nations. Boeri notes that the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 2.5 times the infant mortality rate for white Americans. V: Shot of an urban landscape from the window of a health care clinic. Shot of an African-American infant hooked up to breathing equipment. Shot of a white health care worker tending to an infant. The infant is hooked up to breathing equipment. Footage of June Cooper (Community Health Associate) being interviewed. Cooper says that people need to know that prenatal care is important. Cooper says that more prenatal care could result in a decrease of the infant mortality rate. Boeri reports that Cooper is one of the founders of Project Mattapan; that Project Mattapan has launched a community-based campaign against low birth weights and premature births. V: Shot of a poster which reads, "Give your baby a healthy start." Shot of a black and white photo of an infant in a medical brochure. Footage of John Ramsey (Boston Foundation) being interviewed. Ramsey says that Project Mattapan has the cooperation of eight agencies; that Project Mattapan deals with housing, mental health, education, and other issues along with health care. Ramsey says that Project Mattapan promotes stable families. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan is a year-long project; that the Boston Foundation has funded the $100,000 project. Boeri reports that Project Mattapan will help local health care centers to reach out to poor and uneducated women. Boeri notes that these women are in need because federal programs have been cut. V: Shots of a pregnant African American woman being examined; of an African American health care worker filling out a medical chart. Shot of a health care worker and a patient in a medical examination room. Footage of Cooper being interviewed. Cooper says that outreach efforts are nonexistent in many agencies. Cooper says that the project will attempt to provide outreach and services to women. Boeri reports that the founders of Project Mattapan believe that infant mortality and low-weight births can be prevented. V: Shot of a health care worker placing a teddy bear on top of an incubator containing an infant. Shot of an African American infant hooked up to breathing equipment. Shot of a health care worker wheeling an incubator through the nursery of a health clinic.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 12/10/1987