Letter Supporting the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019

The National Nurse-Led Care Consortium is a member of the Nursing Community Coalition.

September 5, 2019

Dear Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray,

On behalf of all 62 Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) member organizations we respectfully urge the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to consider and advance Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019 (S.1399) this year. S. 1399 is a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (authorized under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 296 et. seq]), through Fiscal Year 2024. As the cross section of education, practice, research, and regulation, the NCC recognizes the immense value these programs have on nursing students, the nursing profession, patients, and communities across the country. That is why passing S.1399, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization, is the NCC’s number one priority.

Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs bolster nursing education at all levels, support institutions that educate future nurses, recruit and retain the nursing workforce, and are essential to ensuring the demand for nursing care is met, especially in rural and underserved areas. These programs are crucial to ensuring that we are able to connect patients with high-quality care across a variety of settings including in community health centers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, local and state health departments, schools, workplaces, and patients’ homes. S. 1399, reinforces the lasting impact Title VIII programs have, while making slight modifications that reflect the current health care needs of our nation.

The NCC appreciates the Committee’s continued commitment to the nursing profession and encourages the swift consideration and advancement of S.1399- Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019. The NCC looks forward to working with the Committee on this essential issue and if we can be of any assistance to you or your staff, please do not hesitate to contact the coalition’s Executive Director, Rachel Stevenson, at or 202-463-6930, ext. 271.

Sincerely,

The Nursing Community Coalition

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