Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act

The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act was introduced in Congress in 2003.

The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act was introduced to Congress in 2003, with reintroductions for each session of Congress since. With bipartisan support, this legislation aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

Goals

The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act calls for a minimum ratio of nurses to patients per unit in each Medicare providing facility. It also promotes the ability of registered nurses to provide professional input in direct patient care. Finally, the act aims to limit the number of mandatory overtime hours nurses work in Medicare hospitals.

Sponsors

Since 2003, Senator Daniel Inouye and Representatives Lois Capps, Ginny Brown-Waite and Steven LaTourette championed the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act.

Introduction to Congress

The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act was introduced in 2003 with the 108th session of Congress. Since then, the act has not moved past referral the Subcommittees on Health and Finance. The legislation was reintroduced in each session of Congress since. As of 2010, the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act was not passed into law.

References

• Govtrack: S. 991: Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2003
• U.S. Government Printing Office: S. 3491
• Open Congress: S.3491--Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2010