OHA State Advocacy Center

State Health Care Issues

Nurse Staffing
Legislation is often considered by state lawmakers, encroaching on the management decisions of hospitals as they relate to nurse staffing. The OHA Board of Trustees as well as the Board of the Ohio Organization for Nurse Executives typically have taken positions to oppose such limitations, such as mandated nurse-to-patient ratio legislation, because they do not consider all of the variables considered when determining staffing and ultimately, if enacted, could threaten the safety and well being of patients.

The Ohio Hospital Association has been working with the Ohio Nurses Association on legislation, House Bill 346, which provides staff nurses with significant input into the staffing process while still providing hospitals with the flexibility they need to establish a staffing plan that meets each hospital's patient needs. OHA will work with the ONA in support of the legislation, while working against proposals offered by other organizations which would jeopardize the ability of hospitals to meet patient and community needs.

OHA-Supported Legislation

HB 346 (Introduced 10-9-07 by State Rep. Jim Hughes, R-Columbus)

HB 346 Summary

Other Proposed Staffing Legislation

HB 185

Resources

OONE Talking Points on HB 346

Ohio Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2008

Safe Nurse Staffing Position Statement - Ohio Hospital Association Board of Trustees as developed by Ohio Organization for Nurse Executives

Position Paper - American Organization of Nurse Executives

OHA White Paper, Does Ohio Have a Nursing Shortage?

OHA White Paper, State Policy Options for Healthcare Worker Shortage

FutureThink - FutureThink was created to help the hospital community think outside existing paradigms to create long-term solutions to workforce shortages and to meet and exceed the needs of patients.

Testimony
April 23, 2008
Suzanne Martin, RN, JD
November 7, 2007
Linda Stoverock, Chief Nursing Officer, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services, Nationwide Children's Hospital
August 8, 2007
Mary Duffey, Executive Director Health Care Workforce Center, Greater Cincinnati Health Council

Correspondence
OHA Letter of Support (September 21, 2007)

OONE Letter of Support (September 19, 2007)

Letter (June 18, 2007, Rep. Gibbs, regarding OHA opposition to HB 185)

Contacts
Jeff Klingler, Director, State Policy and Advocacy
jeffk@ohanet.org
Jean Scholz, Director, Health Policy
jeans@ohanet.org

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