Oregon Unions and Hospitals Reach Agreement on Proposed Legislation to Tackle Staffing Crisis

Posted on behalf of RizkLaw on Apr 15, 2023 in Legal News

Several Oregon healthcare worker unions have reached an agreement with the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) on a proposed set of amendments to House Bill 2697. The bill, which was intended to alleviate the Oregon hospital staffing crisis, was championed by unions but faced vehement opposition from hospitals.

If you or someone you care about suffered harm as a result of hospital staffing issues, you could be eligible to open a claim for monetary compensation. When you partner with a Rizk Law lawyer, they can help you file your claim, defend your story, and negotiate with all involved parties to obtain a fair settlement for the losses you have endured.

Proposed Legislation Intended to Alleviate Oregon Hospital Staffing Issues

After going through one work session and one hearing with the Health Care Committee and House Behavioral Health, an agreement was reached on HB 2697. The bill would require Oregon hospitals to create staffing plans if written into law, but there is still an upcoming work session scheduled to discuss its fate.

Hospital administrators and healthcare worker unions were previously unable to agree on the bill. While nurses argued that it would help combat widespread burnout, opponents (including OAHHS officials) argued it would only create new issues and not solve the problem.

If solidified, the amended bill would mandate nurse-to-patient ratios and establish standards for improving staffing in many hospital settings. However, it does not specify precisely how the amended bill would differ from previous versions.

Two additional pieces of legislation were part of the agreement between the unions and hospitals. They include:

  • Senate Bill 1079: Senate Bill 1079 proposes to address “discharge barriers” and improve hospital capacity.
  • House Bill 2742: House Bill 2742 aims to exempt some workforce-related expenses from Oregon’s healthcare cost growth target.

The agreement also requests roughly $40 million in funding for healthcare professional training opportunities to build a “pipeline of healthcare workers.”

Did You Suffer an Injury at an Understaffed Oregon Hospital?

Healthcare workers are expected to provide a certain level of care, and when hospitals fail to provide the resources needed to provide that care, patients can suffer severe injuries or, in some cases, fatalities.

The fewer nurses there are to provide care, the more workers are forced to cut corners, increasing the risk of medical errors. In some understaffed hospitals, nurses may even be assigned to units they are not trained for, and patients could suffer the consequences.

Understaffed hospitals lack the resources needed to give patients the level of care they need. As a result, patients could suffer from the following:

  • Medication errors
  • Insufficient supervision
  • Falls
  • Undiagnosed conditions
  • Missed diagnosis
  • Failing to identify certain hazards

There is no question about it; any delay in addressing a hospital staffing issue puts patients in jeopardy. If you were harmed because of an understaffed hospital, you could hold them financially accountable for failing to maintain adequate staff and render the best possible treatment.

Hold an Oregon Hospital Accountable for Injuries Caused by Staffing Issues

Hospitals have a duty to provide a certain level of care to the patients in their facilities. If you suffered an injury or lost a loved one because a hospital did not provide their workers with the resources needed to provide adequate care, they could be financially liable for your pain, suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

A Rizk Law lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To get started with your claim, schedule a complimentary consultation by calling our office at (503) 245-5677 or contacting us online.