1199SEIU Statement on Passage of NJ Bill Creating Nursing Home Staffing Ratios

Statement of Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East:

“Nursing home workers across New Jersey are celebrating today’s passage in the NJ Senate and Assembly of bill S2712/A4652 to create direct care staffing ratios in nursing facilities.  We commend Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Coughlin, prime sponsors Sen. Stack and Asw. Jimenez for their leadership in moving this bill through the legislature. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood with nursing home residents and their caregivers in their years’ long effort to bring this bill to fruition.

“This bill will make New Jersey a national model for compassionate staffing levels in nursing homes, at a time when residents need it more than ever.  We urge Gov. Murphy to sign this legislation without delay to bring much needed relief to nursing home patients and their caregivers who have endured unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New Jersey and nationwide. We represent over 16,000 healthcare families in New Jersey and over 450,000 total members throughout New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C.   Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.