Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3593
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:07:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to update and extend federal support for nursing education and training programs under the Public Health Service Act. It focuses on addressing nursing shortages by enhancing grants for advanced education, improving infrastructure for nursing schools, and increasing funding to build a stronger nursing workforce.
Key Provisions
- Advanced Nursing Education Grants (Section 811 Amendments):
- Expands eligibility to include students in nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, nurse anesthesia, and clinical nurse specialist programs.
- Updates terminology (e.g., "midwives" to "nurse-midwives") and removes outdated references (e.g., to the American College of Nurse-Midwives).
- Allows grant funds to cover fees, including costs for clinical training and preceptors (experienced nurses who mentor students).
- Strengthening Capacity for Nurse Education and Practice (Part D Amendments, Section 831):
- Removes "basic" from the part heading to broaden the scope beyond entry-level programs.
- Expands grant uses to include modern tools like audiovisual equipment, simulation and augmented reality resources (virtual training simulations), telehealth technologies (remote healthcare delivery), and labs—both virtual and physical.
- Adds support for increasing faculty and student numbers at nursing schools to tackle workforce shortages.
- Broadens priority areas for grants to include education for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Encourages partnerships with healthcare facilities, nurse-managed clinics, community health centers, or other providers to create or expand clinical training opportunities.
- Authorization of Appropriations (Section 871 Amendments):
- Sets funding at $184,337,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for advanced nursing education and practice grants (up from previous levels).
- Allocates $121,135,000 annually for the same period for workforce diversity and nurse retention programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Program Expansion: Previously limited to general programs, grants now explicitly include specialized advanced nursing roles (e.g., nurse practitioners and midwives) and modern training technologies like telehealth and simulations, which were not detailed before.
- Funding Increases: Replaces authorizations for fiscal years 2021–2025 with higher amounts for 2026–2030, providing about 34% more for advanced education grants and a modest increase for diversity programs.
- Inclusivity Updates: Adds sexual assault survivors to priority groups for education support and emphasizes clinical partnerships, shifting focus from standalone school improvements to collaborative training.
- Conforming Changes: Removes references to "basic" programs in related sections to align with the broader scope.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the Public Health Service Act, will manage expanded programs with increased funding, potentially requiring more administrative resources for grant distribution and oversight.
- On Citizens: Could lead to more trained nurses, reducing healthcare shortages and improving access to care, especially in underserved areas or for vulnerable groups like survivors of violence. Students and faculty in nursing programs may benefit from better resources and opportunities.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is focused on domestic U.S. nursing workforce development.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Nursing Education Institutions: Schools of nursing will gain access to funds for infrastructure, technology, faculty hiring, and student expansion.
- Nursing Professionals and Students: Advanced practice nurses (e.g., practitioners, midwives, anesthetists) and trainees benefit from targeted grants and clinical training support.
- Healthcare Providers: Facilities like community health centers and clinics can partner for education, potentially improving staff training and service delivery.
- Vulnerable Populations: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault may see better access to trauma-informed care through trained nurses.
- Government Entities: HHS and Congress, as funders and overseers, with bipartisan sponsors (from both parties) indicating broad political support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Amends the Public Health Service Act (a key federal health law) without introducing new regulatory burdens; focuses on grant expansions, which are standard for reauthorization bills. No challenges to existing legal frameworks.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I to fund public health initiatives; no apparent conflicts with federalism or individual rights.
- Political: Reinforces ongoing efforts to address U.S. nursing shortages (exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic), with bipartisan introduction signaling potential for quick passage. Increases federal investment in healthcare workforce, which could influence future budget debates on health funding.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2025-09-10: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-09-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (4 pages)