Bill
Bill > HR1907
summary
Introduced
05/09/2013
05/09/2013
In Committee
06/03/2013
06/03/2013
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2015
01/03/2015
Introduced Session
113th Congress
Bill Summary
Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013 - 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. Includes stipends in the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program. Expands the nurse retention grant program to authorize programs to implement nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.
AI Summary
This bill, the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013, aims to improve patient safety and care quality in hospitals by establishing minimum nurse staffing requirements. It mandates that hospitals implement a staffing plan that includes specific direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios based on the unit type, with stricter ratios for critical care and trauma units, and less strict ratios for units like rehabilitation. The bill also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a national tool to determine when higher staffing levels are needed beyond these minimums due to patient acuity, which is a measure of how sick a patient is and the complexity of their care. To help hospitals cover the increased costs associated with meeting these staffing standards, the bill directs Medicare to adjust payments to hospitals for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, it grants nurses the right to refuse assignments if they believe it would violate the minimum staffing ratios or if they lack the necessary qualifications, protecting them from retaliation by hospitals for doing so. The bill also prohibits hospitals from discriminating against patients or employees who raise good-faith complaints about care or conditions, and it extends these staffing requirements and protections to federal health programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits programs, while also including stipends in nurse loan repayment programs and expanding grants for nurse mentorship and preceptorship initiatives.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (39)
Jan Schakowsky (D)*,
Joyce Beatty (D),
Ami Bera (D),
Madeleine Bordallo (D),
Corrine Brown (D),
Julia Brownley (D),
Matt Cartwright (D),
Judy Chu (D),
Katherine Clark (D),
John Conyers (D),
Peter DeFazio (D),
Keith Ellison (D),
William Enyart (D),
John Garamendi (D),
Janice Hahn (D),
Steven Horsford (D),
Jared Huffman (D),
Eddie Johnson (D),
Bill Keating (D),
Barbara Lee (D),
Zoe Lofgren (D),
Alan Lowenthal (D),
Stephen Lynch (D),
Ed Markey (D),
Jim McGovern (D),
George Miller (D),
Gwen Moore (D),
Grace Napolitano (D),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),
Gary Peters (D),
Scott Peters (D),
Charles Rangel (D),
Tim Ryan (D),
Allyson Schwartz (D),
Carol Shea-Porter (D),
Brad Sherman (D),
Jackie Speier (D),
Mark Takano (D),
John Tierney (D),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. (on 06/03/2013)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1907/all-info | 05/10/2013 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr1907ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr1907ih.pdf | 05/16/2013 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr1907ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr1907ih.pdf.pdf | 05/16/2013 |
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