April 23, 2021
Statement from HANYS President Bea Grause, RN, JD, on proposed healthcare staffing legislation
HANYS has always been steadfast in our determination to preserve flexibility for healthcare facilities across the state and to never compromise New Yorkers’ access to care. We support the hospital-specific solutions of S.1168-A/A.108-B. However, we strongly oppose the nursing home staffing mandates of S.6346/A.7119.
I thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for recognizing that statewide government-mandated nurse staffing ratios would be detrimental to New York’s hospitals and their communities. HANYS appreciates all parties’ engagement in the constructive conversations that led to this legislation (S.1168-A/A.108-B). The agreed upon approach to facility-specific clinical staffing committees is a pragmatic and positive outcome for our hospitals, their healthcare workers and the communities they serve. We look forward to supporting our members in this effort.
HANYS adamantly opposes S.6346/A.7119, which would impose unworkable, unfunded staffing requirements on nursing homes in New York. Advancing a staffing mandate during a global pandemic and a nationwide long-term care workforce shortage would result in significant consequences for many of New York’s not-for-profit, financially distressed nursing homes. Without adequate funding to assist with additional hiring, compensation and training of staff, this bill would create an infeasible mandate. We urge legislators to reject this legislation; we stand ready to support solutions that grow and strengthen the available healthcare workforce and make greatly-needed investments in New York’s long-term care system.
About HANYS
The Healthcare Association of New York State is New York’s statewide hospital and continuing care association, representing nonprofit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies and other healthcare organizations. HANYS is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the health of individuals and communities by providing leadership, representation and service to healthcare providers and systems across the entire continuum of care.
