Joyce, Bonamici, Underwood, Kiggans lead House version of the bill
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Maine’s U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Tennessee’s U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn—along 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)—marked the end of National Nurses Month by introducing the bipartisan Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025.
The bicameral, bipartisan bill reauthorizes, updates, and improves critical programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, a law passed in 1944 to support public health and health care professionals. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 reaffirms Congress’ commitment to addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention.
“As the proud husband of a nurse, I know that nurses make the world so much better, one bedside at a time,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “As 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’s 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.”
“The State of Maine continues to face a serious shortage of nurses, particularly in rural communities where hospitals struggle to recruit and retain staff,” said Senator Collins. “This 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.”
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 – 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,” said Senator Baldwin.
“Nurses are the backbone of patient care, delivering critical health care services,” said Senator Blackburn. “The nursing workforce is facing shortages in communities across Tennessee and America. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 would equip more nurses with the education and training they need to meet the needs of patients who need them most.”
“Nurses are on the frontlines of America’s health care system. As the husband of a nurse, their dedication continues to inspire me every day,” said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “As 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 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’s healthcare needs are more complex than ever.”
“The 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’ve 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’m pleased to join my Nursing Caucus colleagues in leading this bipartisan update to strengthen federal support for nursing education and workforce development programs,” said Congresswoman Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.
“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. “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.”
“As a nurse practitioner, I’ve 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. “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’m proud to support legislation that strengthens our nursing pipeline and ensures our healthcare workforce is equipped to meet the demands of the future.”
The Title VIII programs were last reauthorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020. Under the CARES Act, the Title VIII programs are authorized through September 30, 2025.
The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025:
- Reauthorizes funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs from FY2026 through FY2030;
- Makes technical changes to the Advanced Nursing Education Program and makes clear that grants for traineeships can cover the costs for clinical education and preceptors;
- Allows nurse education, practice, quality, and retention grants to be used to cover the cost of audiovisual or other equipment, simulation and augmented reality resources, telehealth technologies, and virtual and physical laboratories, as well as to be used to increase the number of faculty and students at schools of nursing in order to address nursing workforce shortages; and
- Clarifies that nurse education, practice, quality, and retention grants can be used to provide care for survivors of sexual assault and to partner with a health care facility that provides educational opportunities for the purpose of establishing or expanding clinical education.
In addition to Merkley, Collins, Baldwin, and Blackburn, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Adam Schiff (D-CA). The bicameral, bipartisan bill is endorsed by over 50 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA).
“Maintaining access to healthcare services is necessary for achieving the best care outcomes and keeping Americans healthy,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AACN. “We are thankful for the bipartisan support for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, which helps ensure that our nursing workforce can continue to meet the needs of all communities, including those with limited access to nurses and other healthcare providers.”
“Federal investment in Title VIII is essential to sustaining nursing schools, faculty, and students,” said Dr. Jean Giddens, Chair of the AACN Board of Directors. “With the introduction of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, we applaud the commitment of Senator Merkley, Senator Collins, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Blackburn for their support of a thriving healthcare workforce that will have a lasting impact on both nurses and patients across the nation.”
“We are deeply grateful to Senators Merkley and Collins for championing the reauthorization of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Program. This legislation is more than funding — it is a lifeline for the nursing profession. Title VIII supports the education, training, and advancement of nurses across the country, ensuring we have a strong, skilled, and sustainable workforce ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. At a time when our healthcare system depends so heavily on nurses, this investment is critical to the future of our profession and the health of our nation,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association.
Full list of organizations endorsing the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 can be found by clicking here.
Full text of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 can be found by clicking here.
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