MORE Nurses Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3333

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-01-21T09:05:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The MORE Nurses Act (H.R. 3333) aims to address the growing shortage of nurses in the United States by directing an existing federal advisory group to study the issue and provide recommendations to improve nursing education and workforce capacity.

Key Provisions

• Duties of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice: This council, already established under the Public Health Service Act (a federal law governing public health programs), must:
• Examine the U.S. nursing workforce, including trends in the number of nurses, the ability to train new ones, causes of the shortage, and federal policies to support nursing education and staffing.
• Review and build on reports from other government or private groups studying the nursing shortage, without repeating unnecessary work.
• Identify how federal policies have affected efforts to tackle the shortage, such as funding for nursing schools, efforts to increase diversity among nurses, and incentives (like financial rewards) for nurses to serve in areas with limited healthcare access.
• Recommend solutions for policymakers, including ideas for new laws or regulations.
• Report Requirements: Within one year of the bill becoming law, the council must submit a report with its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the President, Congress, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the top official overseeing federal health programs). The report must also be posted online for public access.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill does not overhaul current laws but adds specific new responsibilities to the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice, which was created in 1992 to advise on nursing education. It requires the council to focus on the nursing shortage for the first time in this structured way, leading to a mandatory report that could influence future federal health policies.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will receive the report and may use it to shape funding or programs for nursing training. Congress could introduce new bills based on the recommendations, potentially increasing federal spending on healthcare workforce development.
• On Citizens: Could lead to better access to nursing care, especially in underserved rural or low-income areas, by informing policies that grow the nurse supply and encourage diversity in the profession. This might improve overall healthcare quality and reduce wait times for medical services.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though addressing domestic nursing shortages could reduce reliance on foreign-trained nurses, potentially affecting immigration policies for healthcare workers.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Nursing Workforce and Educators: Nurses, nursing schools, and training programs will benefit from potential policy recommendations aimed at expanding education and addressing shortages.
• Healthcare Providers and Patients: Hospitals, clinics, and underserved communities may see improved staffing and care access if recommendations are implemented.
• Federal Government Entities: The National Advisory Council, HHS, and Congress are directly involved in the study and response.
• Diverse and Underserved Groups: Efforts to boost diversity and incentives for hard-to-reach areas could particularly help minority communities and rural populations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill builds on existing federal authority under the Public Health Service Act without creating new enforcement powers or penalties, making it a low-risk addition to health policy. It emphasizes evidence-based recommendations, which could support future lawsuits or challenges related to healthcare access if shortages persist.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with Congress's power to regulate public health and welfare under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
• Political: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by representatives from both parties), it highlights nursing shortages as a non-partisan concern amid broader debates on healthcare affordability and workforce crises post-COVID-19. The public report requirement promotes transparency, potentially pressuring lawmakers to act on the findings.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Magnifying Opportunities to Recruit and Educate Nurses Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (3 pages)