By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – As a nurse, helping others comes naturally to Taquana Mason.

Mason worked as a nurse in a hospital setting for eight years before opening Healing hands Staffing about three years ago. The agency places healthcare workers wherever there is a need, particularly within patient’s homes.

“I saw the shortage of nurses. I started staffing to fill in the blank spots,” Mason said of the inspiration to open the LaPlace business. “Mainly I do home care now.”

As a part of the local health care industry, Mason has found herself in a rather unusual spot, however. She has seen first hand the effects a lack of health insurance can have on people. But as a small business owner, she cannot afford to provide insurance for her employees.

So, when she heard about a free clinic being offered on New Orleans, her instincts kicked in. One of her employees needed to see the doctor, and Mason, ever the dutiful employer, accompanied her to the city.

“I was going to support her because her husband lost her job,” said Mason.

As one can imagine, Mason see much right with the proposed health care reform.

“(People without insurance) can’t go to the doctor and check up on themselves,” she said. She believes the change would be especially effective from a preventative medicine perspective.

Mason’s business, Healing hands Staffing, is located in the S & S Building on West Airline Highway in LaPlace. She said although many of her clients are set up through state agencies, private calls are always welcome.