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(ABC 6 News) – With the Minnesota Legislature just days away, lawmakers and advocacy groups are clarifying their priorities for 2024.
That includes nurses who are renewing their calls for Congress to address accountability and workplace safety.
The Minnesota Nursing Association wants policies that hold nonprofit hospital executives accountable while improving workplace safety for employees.
Rochester-area Democrats want more accountability for nonprofit health care, while Republicans say there are even greater health care needs to address.
“As this year is a policy session, we are focused on working with our legislative partners to increase transparency and accountability in the health system, particularly in the financial reporting of nonprofit health systems.” said Chris Rubesch. President of the Minnesota Nursing Association.
Sen. Liz Boldon (DFL) agrees with MNAs’ calls for transparency in nonprofit health care. But her bill, which has the support of MNAs, specifically works to ensure safety concerns are addressed.
“This statistic is shocking in terms of the number of nurses injured on the job, and as a nurse myself, I see this in my work. And we need legislation to address this. I’m glad to be able to submit this,” Boldon said.
Rep. Andy Smith (DFL) also supports the MNAs’ intentions, but is focused on showing more accountability in another part of the health care system: both for-profit and nonprofit hospitals. .
“To shed more light on service closures in hospital systems, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, especially in rural hospitals. It will never be done,” Smith said.
Republican Sen. Carla Nelson and Rep. Duane Quam will focus on addressing the growing rural health care desert.
“We know how important these nurses are, but we also know it’s important to ensure that patients have the nurses they need, wherever they are. We’re going to do that through a committee process. That’s not effective,” Nelson said.
“We need to address accessibility, and we need to address how we can provide better care to those in need who don’t have options,” Quam added.
All parties have their sights set on the legislative session starting Monday morning in St. Paul to develop policies that will strengthen the health care system across Minnesota.