News

Read the latest news about the nurse staffing legislation in Washington State.

Press Releases

April 10, 2023

Two hospital staffing bills pass House, head for final approval

Two important bills aimed at addressing Washington’s health care workforce challenges passed the House this week. The compromise hospital staffing legislation (SB 5236) and the nurse staffing compact (SB 5499) are both headed to...
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Press Releases

February 27, 2023

Hospitals and unions reach important compromise to support safe staffing

OLYMPIA ꟷ After weeks of negotiations, the Washington State Hospital Association has reached a compromise position on Senate Bill 5236, the hospital staffing bill. WSHA worked with the prime bill sponsor, union representatives and...
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Legislative Update

January 29, 2023

Legislation introduced to positively address workforce shortage

Lawmakers have introduced many of the bills that constitute the Protect Patient Safety & Access legislative package. SB 5537: Establishing the Hospital Patient Care Unit Staffing Innovation Collaborative SB 5499/HB 1417: Allowing Washington State...
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Hospital Update

January 21, 2023

Hospitals begin cutting services

The dire financial situation at Washington hospitals has required many hospitals across the state to begin cutting services. The following closures have already taken place: Skilled Nursing Facilities across the state have also closed...
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Legislative Update

January 19, 2023

Nurse leaders from across Washington testify against SB 5236

SB 5236, which would enact rigid staffing mandates in Washington hospitals, had its first public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Senate committee on Labor & Commerce. Video from the hearing is available online...
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Legislative Update

January 19, 2023

Nursing unions push rigid patient-to nurse ratios, limiting access to care (SB 5236)

Nursing unions and their allies in the Washington State Legislature have introduced SB 5236, which enacts rigid staffing mandates. The bill is similar to legislation the unions and their allies attempted to pass in...
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Legislative Update

January 18, 2023

Hospitals Support Legislative Package to Make Washington the Top Choice for Nurses

When lawmakers return to Olympia for the 2023 legislative session, hospitals are asking that they support a multifaceted approach to address health care workforce shortages. These shortages are leading to delays in care and...
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