US SB864 | 2015-2016 | 114th Congress
Status
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: Introduced on March 25 2015 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2015-03-25 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Pending: Senate Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Status: Introduced on March 25 2015 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2015-03-25 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Pending: Senate Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]
Summary
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Requires HHS to develop a transparent method for establishing nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios. Directs HHS 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. Gives nurses the right to act as the patient's advocate by initiating action to improve health care and by giving the patient an opportunity to make informed health care decisions. Allows a nurse to object to, or refuse to participate in, any assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if the nurse is not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing the nurse's license. 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 individual for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any related facilities. Adds stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program. Expands the nurse retention grant program to authorize programs to implement nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.
Title
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act
Sponsors
| Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA] | Sen. Sherrod Brown [D-OH] | Sen. Bernard Sanders [I-VT] | Sen. Edward Markey [D-MA] |
| Sen. Tammy Baldwin [D-WI] |
History
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-03-25 | Senate | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. |
Same As/Similar To
HB1602 (Related) 2015-04-07 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Department of Health and Human Services
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hospital care
Medicaid
Medical education
Medicare
Nursing
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' medical care
Civil actions and liability
Department of Health and Human Services
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hospital care
Medicaid
Medical education
Medicare
Nursing
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' medical care
US Congress State Sources
| Type | Source |
|---|---|
| Summary | https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/864/all-info |
| Text | https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s864/BILLS-114s864is.pdf |
