UNAC/UHCP Priority Legislation

Hospital Employee Workers’ Compensation Presumption

Creates presumption under workers compensation that hospital employees who suffer from back or neck injuries, MRSA, and other blood-borne infectious diseases are job related.

Family and Medical Leave

Expands job-protected leave to include care for adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and parents-in-law, assuring protection of long term financial security for California workers.

Postsecondary Education, Nursing Programs

Establishes clearly defined pathway for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students to transfer between California Community Colleges and State Universities to obtain Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.

Healthcare Coverage for Children

Expands eligibility for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs by modifying the applicable program requirements.

Nurse Practitioners Scope of Practice

Clarifies scope of practice to include signing of disability certifications for patients who need documentation for their employers, ordering durable medical equipment, and ordering treatment in home care environments.

Health Facilities: Direct Care Nurses

Requires each new direct care registered nursing hire to receive and complete an orientation to the hospital and patient care unit in which he or she will be working. New hires would not be counted as staff in computing the nurse-to-patient ratio until completion of orientation.

Single-Payer Healthcare Coverage

Establishes the California Healthcare System (CHS), making all California residents eligible for certain health care benefits.