APHON Urges House and Senate Subcommittees on LHHS-ED to Fund Title VIII and NINR

March 16th, 2021

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro
Chairwoman
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Appropriations
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Tom Cole
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Appropriations
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole:

On behalf of the 60 undersigned organizations representing the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), we respectfully request your support of $530 million for the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.]) and $193 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR, National Institutes of Health) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.

As the nation continues to address COVID-19, it is imperative that funding for these programs reflects the heightened needs of our communities, especially as nurses across the country remain on the frontlines of this public health crisis. We appreciate the Subcommittee’s strong commitment to nursing education, workforce, and research and urge you to take bold action by doubling funding to Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and increasing NINR funding in FY 2022.

The Nursing Community Coalition is a cross section of education, practice, research, and regulation within the nursing profession representing Registered Nurses (RNs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs),1 nurse leaders, students, faculty, and researchers. With more than four million nurses throughout the country, the NCC is committed to advancing the health of our nation through the
nursing lens.2

The nursing workforce is involved at every point of care, which is exemplified by nurses’ heroic work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we continue to confront today’s health care challenges and plan for tomorrow, increased federal resources for our nation’s current and future nurses are even more imperative. Title VIII programs are instrumental in bolstering and sustaining the nation’s diverse nursing pipeline by addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that by 2029 demand for RNs would increase 7%, illustrating an employment change of 221,900 nurses.3

Further, the demand for most APRNs is expected to grow by 45%.4

This is just one example on why continued and elevated investments in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs in FY 2022 is essential and will help nurses and nursing students have the resources to tackle our nation’s health care needs, remain on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, assist with the distribution and administration of the vaccine, and be prepared for the public health challenges of the future.

Now more than ever, we have witnessed the importance of science in the discussion of cures and preparedness. As one of the 27 Institutes and Centers at the National Institutes of Health, NINR’s research is aimed at reducing burdensome chronic illness, improving end of life care, and promoting patient-centered care across the life continuum. Our nation’s nurse researchers and scientists are essential to developing new evidence-based practices to care for all patients. Through increased investments in NINR, they will be able to continue their vital work at the forefront of disease
prevention, patient care, and recovery.

During this unprecedented public health emergency, and as you work to develop FY 2022 spending levels, we urge you to support $530 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and $193 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research in FY 2022. We appreciate the Subcommittee’s strong commitment to nursing education, workforce, and research and urge you to continue to safeguard the public’s well-being by putting forward bold investments for these critical programs. If our organizations can be of any assistance, or if you have any questions, please contact the Nursing Community Coalition’s Executive Director, Rachel Stevenson, at rstevenson@thenursingcommunity.org or at 202-463-6930, ext. 271.

Sincerely,

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
Academy of Neonatal Nursing
American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American Nephrology Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
American Nursing Informatics Association
American Organization for Nursing Leadership
American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc.
American Public Health Association, Public Health Nursing Section
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Society for Pain Management Nursing
American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing
Association of Community Health Nursing Educators
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Association of Public Health Nurses
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated
Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service
Dermatology Nurses’ Association
Emergency Nurses Association
Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
Infusion Nurses Society
International Association of Forensic Nurses
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Association of School Nurses
National Black Nurses Association
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National League for Nursing
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs
Oncology Nursing Society
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
Society of Pediatric Nurses
Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society

CC:
Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard
Representative Barbara Lee
Representative Mark Pocan
Representative Katherine Clark
Representative Lois Frankel
Representative Cheri Bustos
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman
Representative Brenda Lawrence
Representative Josh Harder
Representative Andy Harris
Representative Chuck Fleischmann
Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler
Representative John Moolenaar
Representative Ben Cline

1 APRNs include certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and nurse practitioners (NPs).
2 National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2021). Active RN Licenses: A profile of nursing licensure in the U.S. as of February 9, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.ncsbn.org/6161.htm
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook- Registered Nurses. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook- Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nursepractitioners.htm

Promoting America’s Health Through Nursing Care www.thenursingcommunity.org

The Honorable Patty Murray
Chair
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies
United States Senate
Committee on Appropriations
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Roy Blunt
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education, and Related Agencies
United States Senate
Committee on Appropriations
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chair Murray and Ranking Member Blunt:

On behalf of the 60 undersigned organizations representing the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC), we respectfully request your support of $530 million for the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.]) and $193 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR, National Institutes of Health) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.

As the nation continues to address COVID-19, it is imperative that funding for these programs reflects the heightened needs of our communities, especially as nurses across the country remain on the frontlines of this public health crisis. We appreciate the Subcommittee’s strong commitment to nursing education, workforce, and research and urge you to take bold action by doubling funding to Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and increasing NINR funding in FY 2022.

The Nursing Community Coalition is a cross section of education, practice, research, and regulation within the nursing profession representing Registered Nurses (RNs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs),1 nurse leaders, students, faculty, and researchers. With more than four million nurses throughout the country, the NCC is committed to advancing the health of our nation through the
nursing lens.2

The nursing workforce is involved at every point of care, which is exemplified by nurses’ heroic work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we continue to confront today’s health care challenges and plan for tomorrow, increased federal resources for our nation’s current and future nurses are even more imperative. Title VIII programs are instrumental in bolstering and sustaining the nation’s diverse nursing pipeline by addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that by 2029 demand for RNs would increase 7%, illustrating an employment change of 221,900 nurses.3

Further, the demand for most APRNs is expected to grow by 45%.4

This is just one example on why continued and elevated investments in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs in FY 2022 is essential and will help nurses and nursing students have the resources to tackle our nation’s health care needs, remain on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, assist with the distribution and administration of the vaccine, and be prepared for the public health challenges of the future.

Now more than ever, we have witnessed the importance of science in the discussion of cures and preparedness. As one of the 27 Institutes and Centers at the National Institutes of Health, NINR’s research is aimed at reducing burdensome chronic illness, improving end of life care, and promoting patient-centered care across the life continuum. Our nation’s nurse researchers and scientists are essential to developing new evidence-based practices to care for all patients. Through increased investments in NINR, they will be able to continue their vital work at the forefront of disease prevention, patient care, and recovery.

During this unprecedented public health emergency, and as you work to develop FY 2022 spending levels, we urge you to support $530 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and $193 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research in FY 2022. We appreciate the Subcommittee’s strong commitment to nursing education, workforce, and research and urge you to continue to safeguard the public’s well-being by putting forward bold investments for these critical programs. If our organizations can be of any assistance, or if you have any questions, please contact the Nursing Community Coalition’s Executive Director, Rachel Stevenson, at rstevenson@thenursingcommunity.org or at 202-463-6930, ext. 271.

Sincerely,
Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
Academy of Neonatal Nursing
American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American Nephrology Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
American Nursing Informatics Association
American Organization for Nursing Leadership
American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc.
American Public Health Association, Public Health Nursing Section
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Society for Pain Management Nursing
American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing
Association of Community Health Nursing Educators
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Association of Public Health Nurses
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated
Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service
Dermatology Nurses’ Association
Emergency Nurses Association
Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
Infusion Nurses Society
International Association of Forensic Nurses
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Association of School Nurses
National Black Nurses Association
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National League for Nursing
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs
Oncology Nursing Society
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
Society of Pediatric Nurses
Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society

cc:
Senator Richard Durbin
Senator Jack Reed
Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Senator Jeff Merkley
Senator Brian Schatz
Senator Tammy Baldwin
Senator Chris Murphy
Senator Joe Manchin
Senator Richard Shelby
Senator Lindsey Graham
Senator Jerry Moran
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Senator John Kennedy
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
Senator Mike Braun
Senator Marco Rubio

1 APRNs include certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and nurse practitioners (NPs).
2 National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2021). Active RN Licenses: A profile of nursing licensure in the U.S. as of February 9, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.ncsbn.org/6161.htm
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook- Registered Nurses. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook- Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nursepractitioners.htm

Promoting America’s Health Through Nursing Care www.thenursingcommunity.org


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