S.M.A.R.T. bill signed into law!
Using organizing principles from start to finish,the Safe Medication for All Requires Translation bill went from concept to law!
As a product of listening and research, nursing students discovered the various ways that harm is caused to patients when they cannot understand how to take their medications correctly. This is a health equity, health safety and cost savings issue. Using the organizing tools of listening, researching, conducting power analyses, and taking action, these nursing students, along with faculty, and department of family medicine physicians were able to take an issue and turn it into law.
Together, they worked for over a year developing the legislative concept that would become SB 698 S.M.A.R. T. (Safe Medication for All requires Translation) and finding champions in the legislature to bring it before the Oregon Senate. On March 6, 2019 they traveled to Salem to testify in support of the bill, before both House and Senate committees.
On Thursday, July 20, 2019, Gov. Kate Brown signed S.M.A.R.T. into law.
