A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research claims in-hospital mortality jumps 19.4% during a nurses’ strike. According to the study, “Hospitals functioning during nurses’ strikes do so at a lower quality of patient care.” The study also shows no better outcome when hospitals hire replacement workers. While the authors of the study are pushing a different agenda, it is worth noting that hospitals were excluded from collective bargaining laws for three decades out of fear that nurses’ strikes would negatively impact patient care.
