WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Angus King (I-Maine) on Monday introduced legislation to address escalating incidences of violence against healthcare workers by establishing federal criminal penalties for assaulting hospital employees.
The bipartisan Save Healthcare Workers Act (S.1600) would help deter and prevent violence against healthcare workers by authorizing federal tools to prosecute individuals who incite violence against hospital employees. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened cases of violence against healthcare workers, with a 2021 report citing 77 percent of emergency department staff were exposed to violence—situations that hurt workforce recruitment and retention.
“I am proud that Mississippi has been leading the way by strengthening laws to protect our healthcare workers. But we know there’s still more work to do on the federal level, and this bill is a big part of that,” Senator Hyde-Smith said. “I believe the federal government can help deter violence and keep our healthcare workers safe by establishing stronger penalties for those who assault hospital employees. Our legislation will protect these workers and, importantly, the people who rely on their care.”
“Maine’s health care 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,” said Senator King. “As violence against health care workers rises, we have a duty to protect the men and women serving in hospitals and health care facilities. The bipartisan Save Healthcare Workers Act will help to combat this senseless violence and ensure it no longer goes unpunished — keeping staff safe and free from harm so they’re able to focus on patient care.”
The legislation would establish fines and an up to 10-year federal prison term sentence for persons convicted of assaulting hospital personnel, with increased penalties for aggregating 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.
When 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.
American Hospital Association (AHA), Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative, University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), Mississippi State Medical Association, Maine Hospital Association, Vizient, Catholic Health Association of the United States, American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American’s Essential Hospitals, American College of Emergency Physicians, Healthcare Workforce Coalition, and Premier, Inc. have endorsed the Save Healthcare Workers Act.
“The AHA commends Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Angus King for their leadership in introducing the Save Healthcare Workers Act, bipartisan legislation that would make it a federal crime to assault a hospital staff member on the job. 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. We urge Congress to support this legislation and stand ready to work with them to ensure it becomes law without delay.”
“It is a tragedy that so many health care workers, especially emergency department staff, are violently attacked while treating patients. This has resulted in unnecessary, horrific injuries of health care workers in hospitals,” said ENA President Ryan Oglesby, PhD, MHA, RN, CEN, CFRN, NEA-BC. “The Save Healthcare Workers Act is an important step forward in ensuring those who assault hospital workers can be charged with a federal crime. I would like to thank Senator Hyde-Smith for her efforts to keep emergency nurses and other hospital personnel safe.”
“Every day, healthcare workers show up to care for others – sometimes in extremely stressful and unpredictable environments. The Save Healthcare Workers Act sends a clear and powerful message: violence against hospital personnel is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This bill offers the protection and accountability our healthcare workforce desperately needs. We are grateful to Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for championing this critical legislation and prioritizing the safety of the caregivers who dedicate their lives to caring for others,” said T. Richard Roberson, President/CEO, Mississippi Hospital Association.
“I am very proud of the Senator for taking this leadership action to support Hospitals across the country. As Healthcare continues to change, our patients and their families will need to adopt as we continue to navigate through these changes and offer quality and SAFE care,” said Kent Nicaud, Chairman of the Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative and President CEO of Memorial Health System. “Memorial, as a Leapfrog A facility, provides the best in care and safety, and will continue to need the support of Congress to help us protect not only our patients, but our biggest asset, our employees, as they care for our communities. Thank you for your support in letting everyone know that violence in the healthcare setting will not be tolerated and that violence in the healthcare workplace will be taken seriously.”
“The Save Healthcare Workers Act is a meaningful step toward protecting the people who care for Mississippi. It makes clear that violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated – whether it happens in a patient room or in a parking lot. The Mississippi State Medical Association proudly supports Senator Hyde-Smith and this effort to safeguard our healthcare professionals.” Mississippi State Medical Association President Jennifer Bryan said.
Dr. Josie Bidwell, Director of the UMMC Office of Well-being, said, “The dedicated people who care for patients at UMMC are our most valuable resource, and they should feel safe when providing or supporting vital health services. The Save Healthcare Workers Act provides another layer of protection for our health care workers who go above and beyond daily to care for patients, pushing us closer to a healthier Mississippi.”
“Workplace Violence continues to be pervasive across Maine hospitals, with hospitals reporting over 300 incidents each month—of which half are physical assaults. A multipronged approach is needed to address this epidemic; however, federal legislation like the Save Healthcare Workers Act would act as a deterrent and send a strong message—just as it does for the aviation industry—that the safety and wellbeing of healthcare workers matters. We thank Senator King for his advocacy and support on this issue and sponsoring this legislation to provide better protection for all healthcare workers across the U.S.,” said Sally Weiss, Vice President of the Maine Hospital Association.
U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) introduced a House companion bill (HR. 3178).
###