AONL, AHA Support Violence Prevention Bill

AONL and the American Hospital Association applauded the reintroduction of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 2584). Introduced by Reps. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., and Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., the bipartisan legislation would give health care workers the same legal protections against assault and intimidation that flight crews and airport workers have under federal law. The bill also would authorize funding for additional staff training, security technology and other resources hospitals need to prevent violence and protect caregivers more effectively. “Protecting our caregivers must be a national priority,” said AONL CEO Robyn Begley, who also serves as AHA CNO and senior vice president of workforce. “This bipartisan bill would represent a major step forward in helping us get there.” (AHA statement, 4/19/23)