Senate Committee Advances Nursing Workforce Bill as Demand for Nurses Climbs
SILVER SPRING, MD — The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s passage of legislation to reauthorize Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, a critical step toward strengthening the nation’s nursing workforce and protecting patients’ access to high-quality care.
Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Title VIII programs are the primary source of federal funding for nursing education, supporting scholarships, loan repayment, and traineeships for nursing students, along with faculty development to address the nurse educator shortage. These programs keep pathways into the profession strong at a time when demand for nurses continues to rise.
“Today’s committee passage is an important and positive step for nurses, patients and the future of healthcare,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association. “Reauthorizing Title VIII programs helps sustain the education and training infrastructure needed to prepare nurses for every setting where patients need care. ANA urges Congress to continue advancing this legislation and to provide the resources necessary to strengthen the nursing workforce.”
ANA thanks the members of the Senate HELP Committee for recognizing the urgency of investing in the nursing workforce and advancing this bipartisan priority. Today's action builds on longstanding bipartisan support for Title VIII and reflects a shared understanding that a strong nursing workforce is central to the nation's healthcare system.
This committee passage builds on longstanding bipartisan support for Title VIII programs and reflects the shared understanding that a strong nursing workforce is central to the nation’s healthcare system. ANA urges Congress to move swiftly to pass Title VIII reauthorization and to continue robust funding for nursing workforce development and nursing research.
About the American Nurses Association
As the preeminent organization representing more than 5 million nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses® to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.
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