U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Angus King have introduced a new bill aimed at reducing violence against healthcare workers by establishing federal criminal penalties for assaults on hospital employees. The bipartisan legislation, known as the Save Healthcare Workers Act (S.1600), seeks to provide federal tools to prosecute individuals who incite violence in hospitals.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in such incidents, with a 2021 report indicating that 77% of emergency department staff were exposed to violence, impacting workforce recruitment and retention. Senator Hyde-Smith emphasized the importance of federal action: “I believe the federal government can help deter violence and keep our healthcare workers safe by establishing stronger penalties for those who assault hospital employees.”
Senator King highlighted the need for protection: “As violence against health care workers rises, we have a duty to protect the men and women serving in hospitals and health care facilities.”
The proposed legislation would impose fines and up to 10 years of federal prison time for those convicted of assaulting hospital personnel, with harsher penalties if weapons are used or bodily harm is inflicted. These measures aim to offer hospital staff similar protections currently provided to flight attendants and airport workers.
If passed, this would be the first federal law protecting threatened hospital employees across all states, including those without existing protective laws. The bill has received endorsements from several organizations, including the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).
Rick Pollack, AHA President and CEO, praised the initiative: “By enacting federal protections Congress can create a powerful deterrent against workplace violence in hospitals.” Ryan Oglesby from ENA called it an important step forward: “This has resulted in unnecessary, horrific injuries of health care workers in hospitals.”
Support also comes from various medical associations within Mississippi and Maine. T. Richard Roberson from the Mississippi Hospital Association noted the bill’s importance: “This bill offers the protection and accountability our healthcare workforce desperately needs.”
In Maine, Sally Weiss from the Maine Hospital Association acknowledged ongoing workplace violence issues but saw potential relief through this legislation: “Federal legislation like the Save Healthcare Workers Act would act as a deterrent.”
A companion bill has been introduced in the House by Representatives Madeleine Dean and Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
