Supports
HR 1165: THE PATIENT SAFETY ACT OF 1997!
This bill was introduced into Congress on March 20, 1997, by Rep. Maurice Hinchey of New York. If passed, the bill will require Medicare Providers to disclose publicly staffing and performance in order to promote improved consumer information and choice. Of vital importance to nurses and other health care professionals is the clause that provides protection for employees of Medicare providers who report concerns about the safety and quality of services provided by Medicare providers or who report violations of either federal or state law by those providers. Furthermore, the bill would require review of the impact on public health and safety of proposed mergers and acquisitions of Medicare providers. HR 1165 was referred on March 28, 1997, to the Ways and Means subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Congressional Findings from the Text of HR 1165:
(1)There has been increased and growing public concern expressed regarding the quality and safety of services provided by health care facilities and institutions, as such facilities have instituted aggessive efforts to reduce levels of staff who provide direct patient care services as a principal means of decreasing expenses.
(2)A growing body of data suggests a linkage between the number and mix of nursing staff and positive patient care outcomes, including the avoidance of patient death and injury. HR 1165 would mandate that hospitals that participate in the Medicare program must disclose: (a) registered nurse/patient ratios and (b) the number of unlicensed personnel utilized to provide patient care.
(3)Many employees of health care facilities have expressed fear for their employment if they report unsafe conditions, including violations of state or federal law.
(4)Unprecedented consolidation among health care institutions has led to increasing concern regarding the efffect of such activity on the health and safety of communities served by these facilities, yet the federal government has little authority to evaluate such effect in deciding whether or not to approve mergers and acquisitions among health care facilities.
Click to read the Full Text of HR 1165!