Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 959, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2018.

First, I want to thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone for moving this legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee. It is easy to see why nursing consistently ranks as the most trusted profession in America. As the husband of a nurse, and co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, I know the amount of dedication and support nurses put into their daily task of caring for every patient.

An estimated 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 years old every day. In order to meet this increased demand for care, we need to grow the largest group of healthcare providers: nurses.

Despite the importance of nurses to the wellbeing of patients, we face a projected nursing shortage that will leave too many patients without the care that they need. The shortage will affect the entire healthcare system, so we need to do all we can to make sure that those individuals are interested in this valued career path and have access to high-quality education opportunities.

My bill authorizes funds for loan payback programs and grants for advanced education, workforce diversity, and nursing recruitment programs. This bill will expand our Nation's trained nursing workforce so they can provide the highest quality care American patients need.

Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the incredible bipartisan support this bill has received on behalf of the Nation's nurses, and I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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