The proposed law would have required nurses to care for no more than four patients at once. Specific nurse-patient ratios within that range would vary based on the hospital unit.
The Illinois Nurses Association and other supporters argued that the law would improve patients’ and nurses’ safety. They said that nurses are overworked and care for too many patients at once. Hospital officials disagreed, saying the mandated ratios would force them to hire more nurses. They argued the addition of more nurses’ salaries would be too costly for hospitals with already-low budgets.
Alice Johnson, executive director of the INA, said that legislators seemed to misunderstand the bill’s flexibility in staffing issues and changes. INA leaders will meet with lawmakers over the summer to review the bill and offer their viewpoint.
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