Supported National Legislation

Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act

There are no federal mandates regulating the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time in U.S. hospitals. This legislation would protect patients and improve health care by setting mandated, minimum, registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

Violence against nurses and other health care workers is a growing epidemic across the United States. This legislation would mandate OSHA to promulgate a standard that would require all covered employers to develop and implement prevention plans to reduce workplace violence incidents.

Nurses outside hold signs "Strong Union, Nurses, Veterans"

VA Employee Fairness Act

Nurses are integral to the frontline of the VA health care system and have a duty and right to advocate for their patients. S. 771 and H.R. 1948 would improve patient care in VA hospitals by expanding the collective-bargaining rights of registered nurses and other clinicians employed by the Veterans Health Administration.

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Large group of nurses hold signs for Medicare for All

Medicare for All Act

Medicare for All would expand the cost-effective and administratively efficient Medicare program to finance comprehensive, high-quality health care for everybody in the United States. Most importantly, a Medicare for All single-payer system would provide health care based on patient need, not on profit.

Large group of nurses outside Capitol Building

Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act

The The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is an important step to protect workers’ rights to organize a union and to stop employers’ attacks so that every worker can organize without fear of retaliation.

Large group of nurses outside Capitol Building hold signs "We are here for our patients"

National endorsements

National Nurses United is committed to building a broad movement for transformative social change and confronting the powerful interests that dominate our economic and political system. We are proud to support Congressional, state, and local candidates that share nurses’ values of caring, compassion, and community.

Press releases

NNU and NYSNA President Nancy Hagans in front of microphone

NNU and NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, testifies in support of federal ratios legislation at Senate field hearing

National Nurses United and New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans, RN, testified today at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in support of federal legislation supporting mandatory minimum nurse to patient ratios.

October 27, 2023

Union nurses to join Bernie Sanders for virtual town hall about safe nurse-to-patient ratios

A panel of nurses including elected union leadership and actively striking nurses will discuss safe nurse-to-patient ratios, how ratios improve patient care and working conditions, and why ratios are proven as the best solution to the national nurse staffing crisis.

September 13, 2023

Rally outside DC Capitol building for Medicare for All legislation introduction

Medicare for All bill applauded by National Nurses United

Nurses across the country applaud the reintroduction of Medicare for All legislation in Congress by Sen. Bernie Sanders in the U.S. Senate and Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Debbie Dingell in the U.S. House of Representatives.

May 17, 2023

NNU President Jean Ross in front of podium

National Nurses United applauds paid leave legislation

The FAMILY Act would establish the first national paid family and medical leave program in the country, ensuring that every worker has access to paid leave for every serious medical event, each time it is needed.

May 17, 2023

All national legislation press releases