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Bill

Bill

S 2278

Graham Hoffman Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Crapo and 7 co-sponsors

Bill S 2278 mandates hospitals to include a registered nurse on their governing boards, ensuring nursing insights shape strategic decisions and improve patient care.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2278

Summary of Bill S 2278

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: S 2278
  • Title: Requires hospitals to have a registered professional nurse as a sitting and voting member of the governing entity responsible for developing a hospital's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies, and programs.
  • Status: Referred to Health
  • Introduced On: January 16, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 2278 is to enhance the governance of hospitals by ensuring that a registered professional nurse (RN) is included as a sitting and voting member on the governing entity. This inclusion aims to ensure that the perspectives and expertise of nursing professionals are integrated into the strategic planning and decision-making processes of hospitals, ultimately improving patient care and operational effectiveness.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory RN Representation: The bill mandates that every hospital must have at least one registered professional nurse on its governing body. This nurse will have full voting rights and responsibilities.
  • Scope of Influence: The RN member will participate in the development of the hospital's:
    • Strategic plans
    • Organizational structure
    • Systems and policies
    • Programs aimed at patient care and hospital operations

Impact

  • Healthcare Governance: By including RNs in governance, the bill aims to bridge the gap between clinical practice and administrative decision-making, ensuring that patient care considerations are prioritized in hospital policies.
  • Nursing Profession: This legislation recognizes the critical role of nurses in healthcare and seeks to elevate their influence in hospital management.
  • Patient Outcomes: The expected outcome is improved patient care quality, as decisions made at the governance level will be informed by clinical insights from nursing professionals.

Legislative Actions

  • 2025-01-16: Bill introduced and referred to the Health Committee.
  • 2025-05-29: The bill was discharged from committee and committed to rules, followed by an order for third reading.
  • 2025-06-06: The bill passed the Senate and was delivered to the Assembly, where it was again referred to the Health Committee.

Related Bills

  • S 9187: A related bill from the prior session that may address similar issues.
  • A 5208: A companion bill that may provide additional context or provisions related to the governance of hospitals.

Conclusion

Bill S 2278 represents a significant step towards integrating nursing perspectives into hospital governance, aiming to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery. By ensuring that RNs have a voice in strategic decisions, the bill seeks to foster a more collaborative and effective healthcare environment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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