Page 8 - Bedside Act News Today

Legislative negotiators at the Minnesota Capitol have agreed to consider a nurse staffing bill separately from a larger health care funding bill as time runs short in the legislative session.

The measure would establish committees of direct care workers and management at Minnesota hospitals to set safe staffing levels.

A newly formed conference committee is now treating the legislation separately.

Allina Health and Fairview Health Services reported operating losses in the first quarter of the year due to labor costs and patient discharge challenges.

The governor made promises about rebate checks and a child tax credit, while also voicing support for a compromise on nurse staffing legislation.

If the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act becomes law as-written, the Minnesota Hospital Association and its members fear it could drastically hurt patient care.

Some strong words Tuesday came from rural hospital leaders upset over the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act that's making its way through the legislature.

If the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act becomes law as written, the Minnesota Hospital Association and its members fear it could drastically hurt patient care

From the editorial: "To dismiss ... concerns as nothing more than corporate greed, as the nurses union and DFLers have done repeatedly for years, ... is irresponsible and ignores the realities of the current nursing-shortage crisis."

Rural hospital CEOs in Minnesota warn of consequences to patient care if a staffing bill becomes law. The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act would require hospit