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H.R. 1602

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement and submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a staffing plan that complies with specified minimum nurse-to-patient ratios by unit. Requires HHS to develop a transparent method for establishing nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios.

Directs HHS 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.

Allows a nurse to object to, or refuse to participate in, any assignment if it would violate minimum ratios or if the nurse is not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing the nurse's license. 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 individual for good faith complaints relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any related facilities.

Adds stipends to the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program. Expands the nurse retention grant program to authorize programs to implement nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9](D-IL)Sponsor
42 cosponsors42 D
42cosponsors2committees7actions1related bills23subjects
  1. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  2. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  3. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Ways and Means Committee
  4. IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  6. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  7. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015 — Informed