AHA voices support for bill addressing nursing workforce shortages 

Jul 27, 2026 - 03:21 PM
A black nurse with a smile on her face shares a tablet with a white elderly patient lying in a hospital bed.

The AHA July 27 expressed support for the National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025 (S. 1482), legislation that would establish state-based nursing workforce centers to improve understanding of workforce needs and develop evidence-based solutions to address nursing shortages. “The legislation would support efforts to increase nursing faculty capacity, expand enrollment opportunities, strengthen leadership development, prepare nurses for public health emergencies and improve workforce distribution in rural and underserved communities,” the AHA wrote in a letter to the bill’s sponsors, Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Chris Coons, D-Del., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. “It would also provide policymakers, educators, employers and workforce leaders with better data to inform decisions and investments that strengthen the nursing pipeline.” 

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA podcast explains how advanced practice providers can help address healthcare workforce shortages 
Leslie Clayton, program director for advanced practice provider service at M Health Fairview and chair of the AHA’s APP Leadership Advisory Group, explains why…
Headline
House passes CR to fund government through Dec. 4 and budget resolution for next reconciliation bill 
The House July 21 passed a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Dec. 4 by a 220-205 vote. The CR does not include extensions of key…
Headline
AHA comments on price transparency, other healthcare bills considered during Senate HELP Committee markup 
The AHA provided comments July 21 to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on price transparency, nursing workforce and rural…
Blog
What AHA’s Affordability Recommendations Mean for Employers
Public
In our previous blog, we examined what the AHA’s affordability recommendations could mean for patients. Now we turn to another critical stakeholder group:…
Headline
DHS final rule eliminates ‘duration of status’ policy for certain visa holders 
The Department of Homeland Security July 16 finalized a rule replacing “duration of status” admission for certain nonimmigrant visa classifications, including…
Headline
House committee passes budget resolution, setting up new reconciliation bill 
The House Budget Committee July 16 passed a budget resolution by a 20-14 vote along party lines during a markup, paving the way for a new reconciliation bill…