Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ALLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1195.

Madam Speaker, our healthcare and social service workers deserve tremendous praise for their work over the past year, as they have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also deserve protections, as they face a significant risk of workplace violence.

This complex issue deserves an evidence-based solution, not a rushed and costly top-down government mandate.

Unfortunately, H.R. 1195 would prevent workers and stakeholders from giving meaningful input based on experience regarding how to address this highly technical issue. It forces the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, to issue an interim final workplace violence prevention rule within 1 year, significantly impacting the healthcare industry as they remain on the front lines of combating this pandemic.

I have heard firsthand from our healthcare facilities--especially our rural hospitals--that the pandemic has caused serious financial struggles, and many are already at risk of closure.

The CBO estimates that the rushed rule will cost private entities at least $1.8 billion in the first 2 years that the rule is in effect and $750 million annually after that. For public facilities, it will cost at least $100 million in the first 2 years and $55 million after that.

The last thing our healthcare facilities need right now is another costly top-down mandate from Washington.

Our Founders envisioned a government by the people. I am always amazed that the intellectuals in this town know more about solving problems than the great people on the front lines. My colleagues are approaching this issue the wrong way. We must address this from the bottom up by empowering healthcare workers, hospital leadership, the scientific community, and the public to have a say in the development of a new comprehensive standard.

That is why I oppose this bill today and I urge my colleagues to ensure our healthcare workers and caregivers are protected in the workplace by allowing them to give their input directly.

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