U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Angus King (I-Maine) have introduced legislation that would establish federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital employees.
The Save Healthcare Workers Act would seek to deter violence against healthcare workers by authorizing federal tools to prosecute people who incite such violence. Bill sponsors claim the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation for healthcare employees, citing data showing 77% of emergency department staff were exposed to violence.
"I am proud that Mississippi has been leading the way by strengthening laws to protect our healthcare workers," Hyde-Smith said in a statement. "But we know there's still more work to do on the federal level, and this bill is a big part of that."
"Maine's healthcare workers deserve respect and appreciation for the work they do to keep our communities safe and healthy – there should never be injuries in the lines of duty for those delivering care," King said.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT
The legislation would establish fines and up to a 10-year federal prison sentence for those convicted of assaulting hospital personnel, with increased penalties for aggravating circumstances, such as the use of deadly or dangerous weapons or infliction of bodily harm.
These penalties would provide hospital staff the same existing protections given to flight attendants and airport workers, much like the bipartisan Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act of 2023.
If enacted, the Save Healthcare Workers Act would be the first federal law to protect threatened hospital employees – including those who work in states that have not enacted laws imposing penalties for harming healthcare workers, the senators said.
The bill has received endorsements from, several groups, including the American Hospital Association, Emergency Nurses Association, Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi State Medical Association, Maine Hospital Association, Vizient, Catholic Health Association of the United States, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, America's Essential Hospitals, American College of Emergency Physicians, Healthcare Workforce Coalition and Premier Inc.
"Over the years, hospitals and health systems have implemented numerous protocols to stem workplace violence, but they need help," AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said. "By enacting federal protections Congress can create a powerful deterrent against workplace violence in hospitals and increase penalties for those who harm our caregivers."
THE LARGER TREND
A 2023 Premier survey showed that 40% of healthcare workers overall have experienced at least one incident of workplace violence within the past two years, with the violence occurring most frequently among nursing staff at the hands of men between ages 35 and 65.
Data compiled by the Cleveland Clinic in 2021 showed that, while workplace violence can occur in any organization in any industry, it's about four times more prevalent in healthcare than it is in other industries.
A National Nurses United survey done in November 2020 showed that, of 15,000 registered nurses nationwide who responded, 20% reported they were facing increased workplace violence.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.