Rep. Wicker Continues War On Health Care Workers (Cont'd)

Yes, once again Congressman Roger Wicker has succeeded in putting language in the House Labor Appropriations (budget) bill prohibiting OSHA from enforcing its requirement that hospitals annually fit test respirators designed to prevent occupational exposure to tuberculosis.

I've wasted far to much time and far too many valuable electrons already on this dumb-ass favor by Wicker for his buddies at the American Hospital Association and the Association of Professionals (sic) in Infection Control.

If you want to read more about how Wicker, Congressional Republicans and the AHA & APIC are undermining the health of our nation's health care workers, read my past pieces:

• House Committee Again Forbids OSHA From Protecting Health Care Workers From TB, June 16, 2005
  
• WA State OSHA Says "Screw You" to Rep. Wicker, May 1, 2005
  
• Rep. Wicker Continues War On Health Care Workers
• How Did Workplace Safety & Health Fare in the Budget?, November 23, 2004
• Major Owens on Congressional TB Language, September 15, 2004
• House Passes TB Restrictions, September 9, 2004
• Shameless Congressman Continues To Oppose TB Protections, July 14, 2004
• OSHA Wavers On Protections for Health Care Workers, June 8, 2004
• OSHA Announces "Enhancement" Of Worker Protection by Withdrawing TB Standard, January 3, 2004
• OSHA TB Standard: R.I.P. -- Public Health System Approaching Breakdown?, June 5, 2003