Rep. Scanlon Introduces Bill to Protect Healthcare Workers Who Report Patient Safety Issues
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by three different House committees. It is actively moving forward as it waits for these committees to finish their initial evaluations. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Part of: story →This bill faces a tough path because it has not yet gained support from both parties and may be opposed by large hospital organizations.
Small healthcare practices like physician offices, dental offices, and clinics are covered under the bill's broad definition of health care facilities. Owners of these small practices would need to comply with anti-retaliation rules and, if they accept Medicare, set up anonymous reporting systems. This adds administrative and legal obligations, though it also creates a clearer framework for handling safety concerns internally. The potential for lawsuits with punitive damages up to $1 million is a notable financial risk for small practice owners.
“hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, clinics, urgent care centers, physician offices, dental offices”
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, 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.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Alongside a bill to ban private equity ownership of hospitals, Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon introduced the Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protections Act. The legislation provides legal protections for healthcare workers who speak out publicly on patient safety concerns.
The Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protection Act (S. 4086), introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), would establish protections for health care providers against retaliation from health care facilities when they raise concerns about the quality of health care services and patient safety.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Patient Safety and Whistleblower Protections Act
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