Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7279
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-13T08:06:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 aims to address shortages in nursing school faculty by making academic positions more financially attractive to nurses transitioning from clinical practice. It establishes a federal grant program to supplement faculty salaries, encouraging recruitment and retention to ultimately increase the number of trained nurses.
Key Provisions
- Demonstration Program Establishment: The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Department of Health and Human Services) will create a program awarding grants to accredited nursing schools to supplement salaries for eligible new or prospective faculty members. Grants cover up to 3 years and are calculated as the difference between the average salary of nurses in clinical practice and the faculty member's current or average salary (adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index).
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Schools must apply with data on past and current faculty/clinical salaries (broken down by credentials, experience, and education levels), current and projected faculty vacancies over 5 years, and plans to sustain higher salaries after the grant ends.
- Eligible faculty include those hired within the last 2 years, current faculty needing support, those with prior clinical or teaching experience, or part-time faculty (with prorated grants).
- Award and Usage Rules:
- Grants must be used entirely to boost faculty pay, and schools must maintain base salaries at least at the pre-grant level.
- Priority goes to schools showing greatest need (e.g., financial hardship, high vacancies, plans to train more students), those serving underserved areas or vulnerable patients (like health professional shortage areas), or recruiting underrepresented faculty.
- Reporting and Oversight: Within 3 years of enactment, the Secretary must report to Congress on the program's effects on faculty recruitment/retention and provide recommendations for continuation.
- Funding: Authorizes $15 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Schools and faculty can still receive other federal support.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 846A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 297n-1), which previously focused on student loan funds and loan repayment for nursing faculty. Key changes include:
- Expanding the Secretary's authority to include direct salary supplementation grants alongside existing loan-based programs.
- Adding a new subsection (c) for the demonstration program, with detailed application criteria, priority factors, and sustainability requirements not previously specified.
- Minor structural redesignations (e.g., relettering paragraphs) to integrate the new program without altering core loan provisions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services will need to administer grants, review applications, and produce a congressional report, potentially increasing administrative workload but with dedicated funding.
- On Citizens and Education: Could reduce nursing faculty shortages, allowing schools to admit more students (including from waitlists) and train additional nurses to address healthcare workforce gaps. Benefits nurses transitioning to teaching by closing the typical pay gap between clinical roles (often higher-paying) and academia.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the program is domestic and focused on U.S. nursing education.
- Broader effects may include improved healthcare access in underserved areas through better-trained nurses, though success depends on schools' long-term funding plans.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Nursing Schools: Primary recipients of grants; must provide data and commit to salary maintenance to participate.
- Nursing Faculty (Especially New or Transitioning): Benefit from salary boosts to make academic roles competitive, aiding recruitment from clinical practice.
- Nursing Students and Future Nurses: Indirectly gain from reduced faculty shortages, potentially leading to more program spots and better education.
- Healthcare Providers and Patients: Long-term winners through a larger nursing workforce, particularly in shortage areas serving vulnerable populations.
- Underrepresented Groups: Faculty from diverse backgrounds may see prioritized recruitment, promoting equity in nursing education.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Involved via funding authorization and required reporting; program evaluation could influence future healthcare policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill builds on existing federal authority under the Public Health Service Act without creating new entitlements; grants are discretionary and time-limited (demonstration program), reducing legal challenges. It emphasizes equitable distribution to avoid favoritism claims.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves standard congressional spending power for public health and education, with no infringement on states' rights (schools apply voluntarily).
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) for addressing nursing shortages amid ongoing healthcare workforce crises. The 5-year funding authorization and required report could spark debates on program extension or expansion, tying into broader discussions on healthcare funding and workforce development. The focus on sustainability encourages fiscal responsibility by requiring schools to plan beyond federal aid.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (10 pages)