The MHA published a letter today on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan. MHA CEO Brian Peters announced the letter during his testimony in the House Health Policy Committee, which contains the names of leaders from all Michigan hospitals and health systems.
“Our hospitals are prepared to serve you and your loved ones on your worst day with high-quality, safe care,” said Peters. “We can’t risk losing experienced clinical judgment and local access to care. It is for these reasons that our membership is publishing a letter today signed by every hospital leader indicating our complete unified opposition to these bills.”
The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which do not create more nurses nor solve staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. California has a shortage of 40,000 registered nurses, despite the presence of mandated staffing ratios for 25 years. Michigan hospitals are currently trying to hire more than 8,400 nurses for vacant positions despite a national staffing shortage. Data from the Michigan Public Health Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 85% of all licensed Michigan registered nurses currently living in the state below the age of 65 continue to work as nurses from a pool of 119,714 RNs.
Peters was joined for testimony by Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan; and Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-BC, RN, VP & chief nursing officer ambulatory services, Munson Healthcare.
A representative from American Nurses Association – Michigan also testified in opposition. The committee hearing included approximately 60 hospital representatives in attendance.
The testimony opposition follows the announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations opposing the bills.
To learn more about the impact of the proposed legislation on care in Michigan, visit www.mha.org/issues-advocacy/key-issues/nurse-staffing-ratios.