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Nursing, Pages: 3, Research paper

Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Legislation Grid

Health-related Bill Name Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2023
Bill Number S. (1113)
Description This federal bill aims to set minimum staffing ratios for registered nurses in hospital settings. It serves to protect patients and guarantee quality care by normalizing the ratios of nurses to patients in different units of care, including intensive care units, medical-surgical wards, and emergency departments (Congress, 2024). The bill also includes provisions for whistleblower protections that will help safeguard those nurses who become whistleblowers regarding the implementation of these staffing requirements: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

 
Federal or State? Federal

Bill, To Amend the Public Health Service Act Assuring national uniformity for patient safety and nursing practice

 
Legislative Intent The bill has been put into action to establish specific nurse-to-patient staffing ratios to ensure safe and quality patient care. The bill tries to amend the Public Health Service Act to include the establishment of minimum staffing levels for direct-care registered nurses based on specific units providing care like intensive care, medical-surgical, and emergency departments (Congress, 2024). The legislation is designed to reduce medical errors, improve patient outcomes, and decrease burnout among nurses, often caused by increased workloads due to understaffing. It underscores the relation between adequate staffing and good patient safety measures, therefore bringing to the fore the delivery of evidence-based care in any healthcare setting.

 
Proponents/ Opponents Proponents:

  • Nursing Organizations: Organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and National Nurses United (NNU) have strongly advocated mandatory staffing ratios, citing them as a way to improve the quality of care and prevent adverse events.
  • Patient Advocacy Groups: Organizations representing patients’ rights support the bill because it responds to the safety issues associated with understaffing, such as delayed care and poor outcomes (Nsiah et al., 2019).
  • Public Health Experts: Supporters include researchers and policy analysts who point to evidence from states like California, where similar staffing laws led to lower mortality rates and better nurse retention.
Opponents:

  • Hospital administrators and associations are at the top of the list, and they oppose the bill because they believe it would increase operational costs and resource constraints. They indicate that such fixed ratios may remove flexibility in managing dynamic patient needs (Bhati et al., 2023).
  • Legislative Critics: Some lawmakers, particularly those focusing on fiscal conservatism, express concerns over the financial burden such regulations may impose on hospitals, especially smaller rural facilities with limited funding.
Target Population This bill has two obvious target groups:

  • Patients: Increased safety in the care environment and more individualized attention from nursing staff would directly benefit hospital patients.
  • Nurses: These include registered nurses currently working under high-pressure conditions due to understaffing. The bill seeks to set staffing standards to alleviate burnout, improve job satisfaction, and increase professional retention rates (Short, 2021).

The bill also indirectly helps the families of patients, who are less likely to undergo the emotional and financial distress caused by preventable medical errors or extended hospital stays due to complications.
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?) As of now, the bill remains in the committee stage after having been brought before the Senate on March 30, 2023. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where it awaits further action. The bill will have to go through hearings, debate, and possible amendments before being subjected to a vote by the whole Senate (Congress, 2024). The bill has garnered co-sponsorship from important legislators who have been strong advocates for healthcare reforms, such as Senator Sherrod Brown, who has shown bipartisan recognition of the bill’s importance.

 
General Notes/Comments

 

 

 The Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2023 has come at an opportune time, considering the health delivery system’s chronic problems. In terms of safety, equity, and workforce sustainability, the basis of this reflection of evidence-based policy-making depends on how its proponents will be able to address financial and logistical concerns raised by detractors in Congress. If the voices of the nurses and patient advocates do not end, it may also mark a critical moment for U.S. health policy legislation. This analysis combines insights from credible legislative sources, evidencing a deep understanding of the bill’s implications.

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Passing S. 1113, the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2023 is imperative for several reasons. The bill is instrumental in improving patient outcomes and ensuring a sustainable nursing workforce throughout the United States. This legislation responds to concerns around safety and equity in healthcare delivery by setting nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Below is a testimony supporting S.1113, noting specifically why the bill will be critical for patient safety and health equity and can start to address some of the long-standing challenges faced by nurses and healthcare systems.

Advocacy Position

  1. 1113 is a critical measure in addressing preventable harm in hospitals. Studies demonstrate that inadequate nurse staffing corresponds with increased medical errors, infections, and patient mortality rates. For instance, the passage of staffing ratio laws in California showed measurable benefits in patient outcomes and nurse retention (McHugh et al., 2021). This bill builds on that by forcing hospitals to invest in safe patient care while decreasing burnout and turnover among nurses to build a healthier and more just system.

Social Determinants of Health

The social determinants of income, education, and gender greatly sway this legislation. Underserved areas, where low-income patients feel hospital understaffing most, lead to disparities in the quality of care. Another determinant is gender, as the nursing workforce, made up mostly of females, disproportionately faces unsafe staffing levels (Hahn, 2021). The passage of this bill would decrease such disparities by enhancing the standards of care for all populations.

Addressing the Opponents

Hospital administrators frequently oppose staffing mandates due to increased operational costs. Evidence shows that improved staffing ratios reduce costly complications, readmissions, and nurse turnover in the long run (McHugh et al., 2021). Incentive programs, such as federal grants to hospitals in resource-limited areas, might offset some early financial burdens while keeping patient safety at the forefront.

In conclusion, passing S. 1113 is critical to achieving safer, more equitable health care. I urge lawmakers to prioritize this legislation for the health of patients and the nursing workforce. It is a long-term investment in quality care and system-wide sustainability.

References

Bhati, D., Deogade, M. S., & Kanyal, D. (2023). Improving patient outcomes through effective hospital administration: A comprehensive review. Cureus, 15(10), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47731

Congress. (2024). Congress.gov | Library of Congress. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/

Hahn, R. A. (2021). What is a social determinant of health? Back to basics. Journal of Public Health Research, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2324

McHugh, M., Aiken, L., Sloane, D., Windsor, C., Douglas, C., & Yates, P. (2021). Effects of nurse-to-patient ratio legislation on nurse staffing and patient mortality, readmissions, and length of stay: A prospective study in a panel of hospitals. The Lancet, 397(10288), 1905–1913. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00768-6

Nsiah, C., Siakwa, M., & Ninnoni, J. P. K. (2019). Barriers to practicing patient advocacy in a healthcare setting. Nursing Open, 7(2), 650–659. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.436

Short, N. M. (2021). Milstead’s health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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Question

Module 2 Week 4 Assignment

Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.

Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.

Resources( Reference at least 2 from the resources below)

To Prepare:

  • Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)

Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.

Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

  • Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
  • Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
  • Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
  • Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

  • Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
  • Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.
  • Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
  • At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.