Commission takes action to protect front line medical workers

Published on January 21, 2022

A resolution by Vice-Chair Joseph Palamara (D-Grosse Ile) that proposes greater protections for front line health care workers against violent attacks has been unanimously approved by the full Wayne County Commission.

Commissioner Palamara said he was shocked and saddened by media reports detailing stories of front line workers who suffered violent physical workplace attacks or received threats of attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"These people are heroes and should be treated as such," Commissioner Palamara said. "Every day our front line health care workers put their lives on the line to all of us safe during this pandemic. That even one of these professionals such suffer a violent attack for doing so is just unthinkable."

The resolution proposes making attacks on front line health cares a felony, similar to laws n place involving violent attacks against police, firefighters and emergency medical responders.

It cites a report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that indicates nurses are significantly more likely to experience acts of workplace violence than other private sector employees.

It also notes that 35 states have enacted legislation that increases penalties for those who attack health care workers and calls on the Michigan Legislature to do likewise.

The resolution is in line with a proposal by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. Copies of the resolution will be sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, state Senate and House leadership and members of the county's delegation to the Legislature.

A copy of the resolution follows:

RESOLUTION
By Commissioner Palamara

WHEREAS, reports of threats of violence and violence against front-line health care workers has significantly increased amid the stress and hardships presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, nurses are four times more likely to experience workplace violence than other private industry employees; and

WHEREAS, workplace violence against health care workers has exacerbated a staffing exodus in the health care industry, as nurses and other individuals are off for disability, retire early or leave as a result of burnout caused by these adverse work conditions; and

WHEREAS, 35 states, but not Michigan, have workplace violence laws in place that impose enhanced penalties for assault and battery of nurses and other health care providers; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association supports legislation "that would extend the same protections to healthcare workers and medical volunteers against physical assault that are currently in place for assaults against first responders"; and

WHEREAS, Michigan's Penal Code, being MCL 750.81d, makes it a felony to assault and batter police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, which provides a legislative template that could be followed to provide additional protection for health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 67 and House Bill 5084 were introduced on February 2, 2021 and June 22, 2021, respectively, which would extend the criminal protections of MCL 750.81d to emergency room personnel, including, but not limited to, physicians, nurses, intake clerks and others employed in hospital emergency departments, operating rooms and trauma centers; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 781 was introduced on December 8, 2021, which would impose felony penalties on individuals who assault, or assault and batter public health officials, resulting in physical injury. Now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on this 20th day of January, 2022 that the Wayne County Commission strongly urges the Michigan Legislature to enact legislation to protect frontline health care workers and public health officials, including, but not limited to, Senate Bills 67 and 781, and House Bill 5084; and be it further

RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the Governor, State Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, State House Speaker and Minority Leader, and members of the Wayne County Legislative delegation.

Commission takes action to protect front line medical workers(PDF, 195KB)