New Federal Legislation to Address Nursing Shortage

On February 14, members of Congress announced new measures designed to address the national nursing shortage. U.S. Senators Jim Jeffords (R-VT) and John Kerry (D-MA) and U.S. Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) are sponsoring the legislative packages, which focus on recruitment, retention, advancement opportunities, and better statistics about the profession.

"Our society is not doing a good job at demonstrating how much we truly depend on the nursing profession," said Jeffords. "Increased wages are only part of the solution. We have a responsibility to foster a cultural respect and gratitude to those who make incredible sacrifices to care for us in our weakened moments." According to Capps-a nurse now serving in Congress-the U.S. is facing an "incredible shortfall of well-trained, experienced nurses in all fields and all levels of expertise."

A New Type of Shortage

According to the legislators, the current nursing shortage is very different from previous shortages, which were tied to economic downturns. The current shortage is far more complex-fueled by factors such as Medicare cuts, managed care, and inadequate Medicaid payment rates. In addition, the aging nurse workforce and fewer nurses entering the field are two new dynamics that further complicate the issue.

Senate Initative

In the Senate, the Kerry-Jeffords Nurse Reinvestment Act would authorize-for the first time in history-a national nurse service corps, which would administer scholarships and loan repayment programs. The act would also:

  • fund public service efforts designed to enhance nursing's image and get students to commit to a nursing career
  • expand school-to-career partnerships to demonstrate the value of nursing
  • support remedial education for disadvantaged and older nursing students
  • help colleges and universities develop curriculums in gerontology
  • assist institutions in providing advanced education and training to nurses across the career ladder
  • reauthorize a federal Medicaid matching program so states could receive an enhanced federal match of 90% of the cost of nursing education and training in nursing homes
  • provide a possible tax break to provide incentives for nursing staff

House Initiative

In the House, Capps is proposing legislation to improve access to nursing education, create partnerships between healthcare providers and educational institutions to support nurses as they seek training, and improve the collection and analysis of data about the nursing workforce. Capps is also examining the idea of a national nursing service corps to help fund the education of nurses who commit to working in high-need fields and areas. The corps would also provide grants for developing public-private partnerships between hospitals, nursing schools, and high schools.

From the February 16, 2001 article, "New Federal Legislation to Address Nursing Shortage," on homehealthprovider.com