Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed into law legislation aimed at improving the quality of Connecticut’s health care system and addressing the state’s nursing shortage.
“Improving the quality – and efficiency – of our health care system is my ongoing priority,” Governor Rell said. “We want to ensure that our health care system is as ‘healthy’ as it can be. That requires planning for our future nursing needs. As our population continues to age, the demand for skilled nurses will grow even stronger. This law will help us to increase training and education support for this vital career.”
Under the bill, each licensed hospital in Connecticut will be required to provide the state Department of Public Health with a prospective nurse staffing plan by July 1, 2009. The plan will have to spell out how the hospital will provide adequate and appropriate nursing services in the ensuing licensing period. Each hospital will form a committee to develop this plan. At least half of the committee will have to be nurses who have direct patient care as their primary responsibility. Hospitals may use existing committees to assist in plan development under certain conditions.
“The results of these plans will help us pinpoint our needs,” Governor Rell said. “The cost of health care continues to rise, and this new law represents a solution I think everyone can agree on. It puts common sense to work to make sure our health care system is doing its job – now and in the future. For me, the bottom line will always be patient care, and that is where our efforts are focused.”
Governor Rell signed HB 5902, An Act Concerning Hospital Staffing, in a ceremony at the Mid-State Medical Center Galleria in Meriden.
