Hello SEIU 1991 Members!
Once again, SEIU 1991 has secured sponsors in the Florida House and Senate to sponsor our safe staffing bill. Senator Illena Garcia (R) and State Representative Ashley Gantt (D) will introduce the “Florida Patient Protection Act,” to the Florida Legislature on behalf of SEIU 1991. Garcia and Gantt are strong women leaders from Miami-Dade and tried-and-true friends of SEIU 1991. This bill would implement safe staffing ratios for all Florida acute-care hospitals if passed. Though we have secured safe staffing in our contract, we want this same benefit for nurses and patients in all Florida hospitals.
A study published in Medical Care in 2021 surveyed hospitals in New York. The study revealed “that nurse staffing varied considerably across hospitals ranging from having 4.3 to 10.5 patients per nurse. Importantly, each additional patient per nurse increased the likelihood of death, length of hospital stays, and chances of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days.” The researchers concluded implementing safe staffing would save more lives and money.
As our bill starts to move through the legislature, we need all the help we can get as we face a conservative group of elected officials. Our biggest opponent in the past has been the Florida Hospital Association. Once our bill gets assigned to a committee(s), we need members to speak to committee members and advocate for safe staffing. If you are interested in joining us in Tallahassee, calling and emailing elected officials, or identifying research that supports safe staffing and quality outcomes, let us know! If you would like to help, email talia@seiu1991.org .
Another great way to get involved is to join our Staffing Committee. The next meeting is Thursday, February 20, at 10 a.m. via Zoom.
Click the image below to read the full bill.