Title: Expressing support for healthcare personnel and condemning assaults on healthcare personnel as the U.S. healthcare system faces unprecedented staffing shortages and increased workplace-related stressors.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution condemns workplace violence and harassment against health care personnel.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 909 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 909

Expressing support for healthcare personnel and condemning assaults on 
healthcare personnel as the U.S. healthcare system faces unprecedented 
     staffing shortages and increased workplace-related stressors.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 4, 2022

 Mr. Carter of Louisiana submitted the following resolution; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to 
the Committees on the Judiciary, and Education and Labor, for a period 
    to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for healthcare personnel and condemning assaults on 
healthcare personnel as the U.S. healthcare system faces unprecedented 
     staffing shortages and increased workplace-related stressors.

Whereas, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
        healthcare personnel refers to all paid and unpaid persons serving in 
        healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect 
        exposure to patients or infectious materials, including body substances 
        (e.g., blood, tissue, and specific body fluids); contaminated medical 
        supplies, devices, and equipment; contaminated environmental surfaces; 
        or contaminated air;
Whereas these healthcare personnel may include, but are not limited to, 
        emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, 
        physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, 
        students and trainees, and contractual staff not employed by the 
        healthcare facility;
Whereas the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
        Administration defines workplace violence as any act or threat of 
        physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening 
        disruptive behavior that occurs at the worksite;
Whereas workplace violence ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical 
        assaults and homicide;
Whereas acts of violence and other injuries are currently the third leading 
        cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States;
Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal 
        Occupational Injuries (CFOI), of the 5,333 fatal workplace injuries that 
        occurred in the United States in 2019, 761 were cases of intentional 
        injury by another person;
Whereas, in November 2020, National Nurses United surveyed 15,000 registered 
        nurses across the U.S. and found that 20 percent reported increased 
        workplace violence;
Whereas, according to the American Nurses Association, one in four nurses are 
        assaulted while on the job;
Whereas the Joint Commission found workers in healthcare settings are four times 
        more likely to be assaulted than workers in private industry;
Whereas, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 
        approximately 75 percent of nearly 25,000 workplace assaults are 
        reported annually in healthcare and social service settings;
Whereas the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that healthcare workers and 
        those who work in social assistance are five times more likely to 
        experience workplace violence than other workers;
Whereas the Joint Commission found that approximately 30 percent of nurses 
        report incidents of violence and only 26 percent of emergency department 
        physicians report violent incidents;
Whereas the National Crime Victimization Survey showed healthcare workers have a 
        20-percent higher chance of being the victim of workplace violence than 
        other workers; and
Whereas the American College of Emergency Physicians reported that 70 percent of 
        emergency physicians have reported acts of violence against them, yet 
        approximately less than 3 percent pressed charges: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns workplace violence, harassment, or assault 
        against healthcare personnel;
            (2) reaffirms that acts of violence, harassment, or assault 
        against healthcare personnel will not be tolerated;
            (3) calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to inquire into 
        assaults on healthcare personnel and provide adequate resources 
        and support to ensure that justice is given to those that have 
        faced or will face assault;
            (4) calls on the U.S. Department of Labor to increase 
        workplace violence resources, specifically for healthcare 
        personnel;
            (5) continues to support hospitals and healthcare workers 
        and the work they do to ensure our health and well-being;
            (6) acknowledges the increased work stress and strain on 
        mental health that healthcare personnel face; and
            (7) supports providing healthcare personnel with mental 
        health information and resources.
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