AONL issues advocacy alert to protect health care workers

AONL this week urged nurse leaders to contact their federal lawmakers to support the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act to protect health care workers. Introduced in April by Reps. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., and Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., the bipartisan legislation (H.R. 2584) would make it a federal crime to assault or intimidate a hospital employee and interfere with the ability of that employee to perform their duties. The SAVE Act would also authorize much needed funding for additional staff training, security technology and other resources hospitals need to prevent violence and protect caregivers more effectively.