In Case You Missed It…

• The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released a dashboard with data on its Health Workforce Programs. To view the dashboard, click here.
• Newly Introduced Legislation:
  • U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act (S.3329/H.R.6203). This bipartisan, biacmeral bill would honor the nearly 120,000 nurses who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during the Second World War.
  • Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.3435/H.R.6607). This bill would invest $1 billion into schools of nursing to enhance enrollment and recruitment of nursing students, hire and retain faculty, and support the modernization of nursing education infrastructure.

The NCC Applauds the Bipartisan Support for Nursing as a “Professional Degree”:

• • Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair and nurse, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and House Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), along with more than 140 bipartisan members of Congress, sent a bipartisan and bicameral letter to the Department of Education. This letter outlines concerns with “the RISE Committee’s decision to omit post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of ‘professional degree’ in its recently released proposed framework.” This letter was also supported by nearly 70 national organizations. To read the press release, click here. To read the letter, click here. To see endorsing organizations, click here, and to read the story in the Associated Press, click here.
  • House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair and nurse, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), sent a letter to the Department of Education urging the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing programs in their definition of “professional degree” programs. To read this letter, click here.
  • House Nursing Caucus Vice Co-Chair, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) posted a video highlighting the impact of the Department of Education’s proposed federal loan caps and urging her constituents to write to the Department during its upcoming public comment period. To watch this video, click here.
  • Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) sent a letter to the Department of Education urging the inclusion of nursing, along with other health-related degrees, in the Department’s definition of “professional degree” programs. To read this letter, click here.
  • Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02) issued a press release expressing support for nursing as a “professional degree.” To read the press release, click here.
  • Congressman Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26) led a sign-on letter with sixty-nine of his Democratic colleagues expressing concerns with the Department of Education’s proposed restrictions on federal loan limits for several advanced health degree programs, including nursing. He also made a speech about this issue on the House floor. To read the letter, click here. To watch the speech, click here.
  • Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT-02) made a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives expressing with the Department of Education’s proposed changes in this area. To watch this speech, click here.
  • Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) sent a letter to the Department of Education urging the inclusion of nursing, along with other health-related degrees, in the Department’s definition of “professional degree” programs. To read this letter, click here.
  • Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15) sent a letter to the Department of Education expressing concerns with its proposed changes that will impact a number of professions, including nursing. To read the letter, click here.