Photos by: Jay Mallin

Registered nurses from District of Columbia hospitals, joined by community allies, picketed a fundraiser for DC Councilwoman Yvette Alexander hosted by a hospital industry powerbroker last night to step up the call for the DC City Council to move forward on a critical patient safety bill.

Alexander, who chairs the Council’s Health Committee, was one of 10 council members who co-sponsored the Patient Protection Act when it was introduced by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson in February.

"But Alexander has yet to schedule a committee hearing on the safety bill as the hospital industry has waged a furious lobbying campaign against it," said National Nurses United (NNU).

“How many more patients and their families must be put at risk while hospitals throughout the District maintain unsafe conditions?" said Sandra Falwell, a neo-natal intensive care unit RN at Children’s National Medical Center and an NNU Vice-President.

"It’s long past time for a hearing and for the full Council to have the opportunity to vote on this vital bill.” - photo courtesy NursesHealDC