US Congress House Bill 2187 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 28-0)
Status: Introduced on June 15 2011 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2011-06-23 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Health Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement a staffing plan that includes a minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratio by unit, adjustments above the minimum ratio under appropriate circumstances, and compliance with minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national acuity tool to establish nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios. Directs the Secretary to adjust Medicare payments to hospitals to cover additional costs incurred in providing services to Medicare beneficiaries that are attributable to compliance with such ratios. Authorizes a nurse to object to, or refuse to participate in, any activity, policy, practice, assignment or task if in good faith it would violate minimum ratios under this Act or if the nurse is not prepared by education, training, or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of any patient or jeopardizing the license of the nurse. Prohibits a hospital from: (1) taking specified actions against a nurse based on the nurse's refusal to accept an assignment for such a reason; or (2) discriminating against any patient, employee, or any other individual for good faith complaints or grievances relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any affiliated or related facilities. Prohibits actions by hospitals to restrain such rights. Sets forth enforcement provisions. Applies provisions of this Act through federal health programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits programs.

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2011

Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D-IL]	Rep. Joe Baca [D-CA]	Sen. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI]	Rep. Robert Brady [D-PA]
Rep. Hansen Clarke [D-MI]	Rep. Susan Davis [D-CA]	Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D-CT]	Rep. Keith Ellison [D-MN]
Rep. Sam Farr [D-CA]	Rep. Janice Hahn [D-CA]	Rep. Eddie Johnson [D-TX]	Rep. William Keating [D-MA]
Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D-OH]	Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA]	Rep. Stephen Lynch [D-MA]	Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]
Rep. George Miller [D-CA]	Rep. Gwen Moore [D-WI]	Rep. Grace Napolitano [D-CA]	Rep. Eleanor Norton [D-DC]
Rep. Charles Rangel [D-NY]	Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D-TX]	Rep. Tim Ryan [D-OH]	Rep. Allyson Schwartz [D-PA]
Rep. Brad Sherman [D-CA]	Rep. Fortney Stark [D-CA]	Rep. John Tierney [D-MA]	Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D-CA]

Date	Chamber	Action
2011-06-23	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2011-06-22	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2011-06-15	House	Referred to House Ways and Means
2011-06-15	House	Referred to House Energy and Commerce
2011-06-15	House	Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

SB992 (Related) 2011-05-12 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2187/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2187/BILLS-112hr2187ih.pdf