November 15, 1999
Dear Colleague:
More than 800,000 health care workers are injured by preventable needlesticks each year. An infected needlestick can mean contracting HIV, Hepatitis B or C, and numerous other infectious diseases. These injuries are largely preventable through the use of safe needle devices and needleless systems that are readily available in the marketplace.
HR 1899 would require the use of such devices by employers, but it simultaneously recognizes that these devices do not yet exist for every situation. So, the legislation contains a very clear exception process to ensure that no facility be required to comply if an appropriate safety device does not exist in the marketplace or is not appropriate for that situation.
This bill is modeled after a successful California state law that has been in effect since July. HR 1899 is endorsed by a long list of organizations that include nurses, doctors, other health care workers, public health advocates, a major managed care plan, and more. And, the bill has already garnered the support of 157 bipartisan members of Congress (see list on back page).
Before Congress adjourns this year, add your name to the list to help protect health care workers from these senseless and sometimes deadly injuries.
If you have any questions, or would like to cosponsor HR 1899, please contact Debbie Curtis with Rep. Stark at 5-5065 or Elizabeth Robbins with Rep. Roukema at 5-4465.
Sincerely,
Pete Stark, MC Marge Roukema, MC
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