On Tuesday, May 1, Pandion Healthcare: Education and Advocacy traveled to Albany to urge the Legislature to reject a bill that would establish arbitrary nurse staffing ratios, which would jeopardize access to care without improving quality or patient outcomes (A.1532/S.3330). The lobby day was organized by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) and the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA). It also included representatives from New York’s Organization of Nurse Executives & Leaders (NYONEL), Iroquois Healthcare Association, Suburban Hospital Alliance, Western New York Healthcare Association and the Healthcare Trustees from New York State.
A total of 62 people met with 19 members of the Legislature and their staff. In addition, Pandion stopped by the offices of several members of the Rochester delegation, including Senator Joe Robach.
Representatives from Rochester-area hospitals included Hazel Robertshaw and Melissa Shelley from Thompson Health, Ann Harrington from New York Organization of Nurse Executives & Leaders, and Amy Happ from Strong Memorial Hospital. Travis Heider and Mary Beth Walker attended on behalf of Pandion.
Pandion’s 17 hospitals are opposed to staffing ratios because one size does not fit all and staffing decisions must remain within local hospitals and nursing homes. Each patient has individual needs that can change rapidly. Every nurse and care team member has a unique level of experience. No two hospitals or nursing homes are the same.
Research has not demonstrated a direct link between statewide staffing ratios and quality of care in California, the only state to require hospital-wide nurse staffing ratios. Staffing ratios would cost New York’s hospitals and nursing home close to $3 billion annually – the largest-ever unfunded healthcare mandate in New York State.
Pandion will continue to urge members of the Legislature to reject A.1532/S.3330, which is strongly opposed by Rochester-area hospitals and nursing homes. For more information about staffing ratios, please contact Mary Beth Walker at mwalker@pandionalliance.com.
