{"id":22270,"date":"2025-05-23T10:21:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T14:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/?p=22270"},"modified":"2025-05-23T10:21:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T14:21:23","slug":"during-national-nurses-month-merkley-collins-baldwin-blackburn-champion-bipartisan-bill-to-support-americas-nursing-workforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merkley.senate.gov\/es\/during-national-nurses-month-merkley-collins-baldwin-blackburn-champion-bipartisan-bill-to-support-americas-nursing-workforce\/","title":{"rendered":"Durante el Mes Nacional de la Enfermer\u00eda, Merkley, Collins, Baldwin y Blackburn impulsan un proyecto de ley bipartidista para apoyar a la fuerza laboral de enfermer\u00eda de Estados Unidos."},"content":{"rendered":"

Joyce, Bonamici, Underwood, Kiggans lead House version of the bill<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington, D.C. \u2013 Oregon\u2019s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Maine\u2019s U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Wisconsin\u2019s U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Tennessee\u2019s U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn\u2014along with U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02)\u2014marked the end of National Nurses Month by introducing the bipartisan Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bicameral, bipartisan bill reauthorizes, updates, and improves critical programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act<\/em>, a law passed in 1944 to support public health and health care professionals. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025<\/em> reaffirms Congress\u2019 commitment to addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAs the proud husband of a nurse, I know that nurses make the world so much better, one bedside at a time,\u201d said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus.<\/strong> \u201cAs we celebrate National Nurses Month, Congress must recommit to strengthening the American nursing workforce and the programs that are critical to these health care heroes. We must ensure America\u2019s nurses have the resources and support necessary to meet care needs now and in the future, including in rural and medically underserved communities that too often face unique challenges in accessing quality and timely care.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe State of Maine continues to face a serious shortage of nurses, particularly in rural communities where hospitals struggle to recruit and retain staff,\u201d dijo el Senador Collins.<\/strong> \u201cThis bipartisan legislation would help strengthen the nursing workforce by reauthorizing critical programs that support nursing education, expand access to clinical training, and help schools prepare more students for careers in nursing. Doing so is essential to addressing the workforce shortages facing hospitals across our country.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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To make sure all Wisconsinites can get good, affordable health care, we need to have a skilled workforce to provide it. Nurses are an essential piece of the health care experience, but sadly, we have a shortage of these unsung heroes \u2013 particularly in our rural areas. Our bill will help fill that gap, making sure anyone who wants to become a nurse has access to the education and the support they need, setting people up for good-paying jobs, and helping fill the needs of our communities,\u201d dijo el senador Baldwin.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cNurses are the backbone of patient care, delivering critical health care services,\u201d said Senator Blackburn.<\/strong> \u201cThe nursing workforce is facing shortages in communities across Tennessee and America. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025<\/em> would equip more nurses with the education and training they need to meet the needs of patients who need them most.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cNurses are on the frontlines of America\u2019s health care system. As the husband of a nurse, their dedication continues to inspire me every day,\u201d said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. <\/strong>\u201cAs our nation faces a growing nursing shortage and increasing demand for quality healthcare, I am proud to introduce the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act <\/em>to address these challenges. Now is the time to invest in education, training, and retention programs to strengthen our nursing workforce, especially in rural and underserved communities. This bipartisan, bicameral bill is vital to ensuring a healthier future for all Americans at a time when the nation\u2019s healthcare needs are more complex than ever.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe country is facing a nursing workforce shortage and plenty of people want to become nurses. But in many conversations with health care leaders, educators, and students, I\u2019ve heard that the high cost of college and lack of open spots in nursing education programs prevent many aspiring nurses from entering the field. I\u2019m pleased to join my Nursing Caucus colleagues in leading this bipartisan update to strengthen federal support for nursing education and workforce development programs,\u201d said Congresswoman Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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“Nurses are at the forefront of promoting public health and providing quality, affordable health care to our communities and it is essential that we continue to support and grow the nursing workforce,” said Congresswoman Underwood, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.<\/strong> “Reauthorizing Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs is a critical part of this work. As a nurse, I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation that invests in the education and retention of the nursing professionals who keep our nation healthy.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAs a nurse practitioner, I\u2019ve seen firsthand how essential nurses are to the strength and sustainability of our healthcare system,” said Congresswoman Kiggans, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus<\/strong>. “This bipartisan, bicameral bill tackles the nursing shortage head-on by expanding clinical education opportunities, increasing the number of trained nurses, and investing in the educators who prepare them. I\u2019m proud to support legislation that strengthens our nursing pipeline and ensures our healthcare workforce is equipped to meet the demands of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Title VIII programs were last reauthorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act <\/em>in March 2020. Under the Ley CARES<\/em>, the Title VIII programs are authorized through September 30, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n