BUFFALO, N.Y. — With hundreds of patients coming in and out of area hospitals every day, nurses in Western New York say there just aren't enough hands on deck.

"We need to have the right amount of nurses on the bedside so a nurse should only be taking care of like four patients, five patients," said CWA Local 1168 President Cori Gambini. Instead, "we're taking care of eight, nine, 10, 11, 12." 

Health care workers and patient advocates rallied Thursday in support of the Quality Care Act. If enacted, the law would implement nurse to patient ratios in hospitals across New York State.

"It will save lives, prevent complications," Gambini said. "People have better quality care bedside and go home and recover better and lessen the re-admission."

This type of legislation was introduced in Albany in 2004, but for years stalled in the State Assembly until it was passed in 2016.

But the Senate, and its Republican majority, has never allowed the bill to make it to the floor for a vote. Opponents of the legislation say it would require the addition of too many nurses, putting financial strain on hospitals.

"California passed them 15 years ago. Hospitals didn't close, they actually became more profitable," said Gambini. 

Despite his party's hesitancy Republican Sen. Chris Jacobs signed on to co-sponsor the bill earlier this week.

Union leaders say bi-partisan support is a big step, but know they have more work to do to make sure Jacobs' support isn't an empty gesture.

"We know it takes a lot more we're going to be pressuring him and his fellow senators to do the right thing," said Gambini. 

Union leaders say they have not ruled out organizing nurse walkouts if the legislation isn't passed.