ANA Applauds Biden-Harris Administration $100 Million Investment to Grow the Nursing Workforce
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SILVER SPRING, MD – The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced plans to award more than $100 million to train more nurses and grow the nursing workforce. The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds and commends President Biden, Vice President Harris and HRSA for making this intentional investment into the profession that Americans trust the most.
“ANA stands ready to partner and collaborate around the key priorities and focus of the award efforts. It’s especially great to see that this action will deploy necessary training and support to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs),” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “There isn’t a price tag that you can put on the clinical expertise, sincere humanity and vast value that nurses bring to the health and education of their patients and our communities. We are pleased with this action, but we will remain firm in urging Congress to address chronic systemic challenges that nurses are facing every day. Workplace violence, burnout, low wages, and the national nurse staffing crisis still demand immediate solutions.”
ANA still presses Congress to stand firm in supporting the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act (H.R. 2713/S. 2418), which will remove administrative, practice and other barriers currently faced by APRNs and their patients. Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists are improving access to care for individuals living in underserved communities who are often faced with a shortage of skilled and prepared providers. The ICAN Act will allow millions more people to receive high-quality health care.
ANA has convened with leaders at the White House to discuss pressing nursing issues and to advocate for the nursing profession. Most recently on April 25, ANA representatives met with the administration ahead of the deadline for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency to advocate for improved access to health care resources and ongoing support for nurses.
Nurses, leaders and all patients can join ANA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation’s more than 5 million registered. To learn more and stay up to date on ANA’s legislative priorities, visit RNAction.org.
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About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's more than 5 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org