The most recent attack at Encino Hospital Medical Center in Encino, California, and previously most recently at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reaffirms AWHONN’s strong commitment to advocating for legislation aimed at reducing gun violence and increasing protection for health care workers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an increasing trend of violence toward health care workers. Health care and social service workers are five times as likely to face violence in their workplace as compared to all other workers. In the month of May alone, the US has had more than 60 reported mass shootings, for 2022 over 200.
In 2021 and 2022, members attending AWHONN on Capitol Hill lobbied for H.R.1195 Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which would require health care employers to establish a workplace violence prevention and response plan. Due in part to our efforts, the bill passed in the House and a few weeks ago, the bill was introduced to the Senate. While this is an important bill that will continue to have our support, recent escalation of gun violence in the US indicates an immediate need for stronger actions to address gun violence. Once again, AWHONN on Capitol Hill 2023 will be held April 16, 17 and 18, and we encourage all members to respond to this call to action to end gun violence.
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