Washington, D.C., Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) introduced a bill in February that would require nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:1 in the operating room to 1:6 in psychiatric wards, among other staffing requirements. But nothing has happened with that bill since it was introduced Feb. 5.
Now the NNU has launched a letter-writing campaign focused on the council’s 13 members and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray. The union will hold a rally today outside the John A. Wilson Building in D.C., as well, which is where the council meets.
Hospitals have “promised a fierce fight” against the bill, according to the report, calling it unnecessary. They also say it would prohibitively raise labor costs at a time when political and market forces are demanding lower healthcare spending.
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