Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) on Thursday would reauthorize and reform programs that support nurses across the country.
The Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, which was introduced by Burr and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), would renew and modify programs that support nursing education, recruitment and retention under the Public Health Service Act.
“Nurses play a pivotal role in providing quality care for Americans day in and day out,” Burr said. “These dedicated individuals provide care and compassion with incredible grace, helping to keep Americans healthy and offering comfort in our most challenging hours. Nurses are there for us when we need them because of the training and preparation supported by the Title VIII nursing programs. I am proud to partner with Sen. Merkley to reauthorize the title VIII nursing programs. Our legislation will ensure that our nation’s nursing workforce is prepared to meet the needs of patients in North Carolina and across our nation and it supports the life-saving work nurses do each and every day.”
Under the bill, nurse-managed health clinics would be made eligible to receive title VIII funding. Title VIII programs would also be updated to support training and education for those that provide care for seniors.
“As the husband of a nurse, I know firsthand the critical role that nurses play in all types of medical care,” Merkley said. “Nurses are the heart of our health care system, and as our nation’s demand for health care services continues to rise through the coming decades, it will be essential that we recruit, train and support a robust nursing workforce. This bipartisan bill will help ensure that our federal nursing workforce policies are updated for the 21st century and can help to meet that demand.”