Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act H.R. 2584 – Introduced in April 2023 by Larry Buchson, M.D. (R – Ind. 08) and Madeline Dean (D – Pa. 04).
Sens Marco Rubio (R – FL) and Joe Manchin (D – WV) introduced the companion bill today in the US Senate.
The SAVE Act, if passes, provides much needed protections for our healthcare workers. The bill, which is modeled after current protections for aircraft and airport workers, like flight crews and attendants, would create enhanced legal penalties for individuals who knowingly and intentionally assault or intimidate hospital employees. This bill does have protections for individuals who may be mentally incapacitated due to illness or substance abuse.
The American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) supports this legislation to help deter healthcare worker violence that has long been a problem, especially with a post Covid-19 pandemic increase in violence. We commend Representatives Buschon and Dean and Senators Rubio and Manchin on this legislation to enact federal law against criminals that assault or intimidate Healthcare workers.
Please urge your Representative and Senators to sign on to these bills so we can get the SAVE Act passed and enacted into federal law.