Brown Introduces Bill to Address Nationwide Shortage of Nurses

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), this week introduced the National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act, legislation that would establish minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, protect the rights of nurses to advocate on behalf of their patients and invest in training and retaining nurses to address the nationwide nursing shortage.

"With an aging population in Ohio and across the nation, nurses are more important than ever -- which is why it's so important to invest in our nurses and give them the support they deserve," said Brown. "This legislation would protect nurses who speak up to report violations and will improve patient care by investing in training and establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. Our nurses are a source of medical care and emotional support for patients, and they deserve these protections so they can keep up that important work."

"I am proud to introduce this bill to help save the lives of countless patients by improving the quality of care in our nation's hospitals," Boxer said. "We must support the hard-working nurses who strive to provide the best possible care to their patients every single day."

"Nurses are essential for quality care and patient safety," Schakowsky said. "Patients know -- and study after study shows -- that having a nurse at the bedside improves medical outcomes while inadequate staffing levels can result in preventable injuries and deaths. I'm proud to join with Senator Boxer on this legislation -- to require an adequate number or nurses in hospitals and end the dangerous problem of understaffing."

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