ICYMI: MATSUI, KIGGANS, MERKLEY, CHAMPION BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO KEEP AMERICA’S NURSES AND PATIENTS SAFE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CongresswomenDoris Matsui (D-CA-07) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), along with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), announced the reintroduction of their Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act.

To tackle staffing-related challenges, nurses are often forced to work mandatory overtime beyond their scheduled shift, which can endanger the safety of both patients and nurses. To address these challenges, the bicameral, bipartisan Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would provide nurses with stronger federal workplace safeguards.

"Nurses perform lifesaving work every day, providing patients with the care, comfort and support they need during their most vulnerable moments," said Congresswoman Matsui. "But persistent staffing shortages have forced too many nurses to work excessive hours, contributing to exhaustion and burnout while putting patient safety at risk. California and 17 other states have already acted to limit mandatory overtime. The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would establish commonsense protections nationwide so nurses can provide the highest quality care without being pushed beyond safe limits."

"We can't solve America's nursing shortage until we address the workplace challenges driving talented nurses away from this important field. These workforce shortages have left many nurses working excessive overtime, leading to fatigue and less time with their families. As a nurse practitioner, I recognize the importance of fostering a work environment that is beneficial for both our caregivers and their patients. I'm proud to join Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Matsui to introduce the Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act to establish much-needed overtime regulations in place to limit burnout and improve access to quality healthcare," said Congresswoman Kiggans.

"We know that when truck drivers or pilots are pushed past the point of exhaustion, lives are put at risk. The same is true for nurses, and they should not be forced to work to the point that patient safety is jeopardized," said Senator Merkley. "As the husband of a nurse, I know these heroes take care of us when we are in need, and we need to take care of them. Our bipartisan Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would protect lives by limiting mandatory overtime and ensuring nurses have the support, respect, and working conditions they need and deserve."

To date, 18 states have passed legislation or issued regulations restricting mandatory overtime for nurses. The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would provide strong protections at the federal level for the 5.2 million registered nurses in the United States-the single largest group of health care professionals in the nation, as well as nearly 1 million licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses.

The bicameral, bipartisan Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act would:

• Limit mandatory overtime for nurses by prohibiting health care facilities from requiring nurses to work with certain exceptions;
• Adopt whistleblower and nondiscrimination protections to protect nurses against retaliation; and
• Impose civil penalties for each known violation.

The bill is endorsed by over 50 organizations. A full list of supporting organizations can be found HERE.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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