APHON Concerned with Proposed Budget Cuts
May 1st, 2017
Nursing Community Expresses Deep Concern Over President’s Budget
Far-Reaching Cuts Proposed to Long-Standing, Effective Nursing Programs
Today, May 23, 2017, the President released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Budget Proposal outlining deep cuts to the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act). The Nursing Community, the largest coalition representing nursing constituencies in America, strongly opposes the near depletion of funding for what has been the most critical source of federal support for nursing since 1964. The Title VIII programs address all aspects of the nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, retention, and most importantly, increased access to care in communities that need it most— rural and underserved areas. The Trump Administration recommends to Congress that the Title VIII programs be funded at $83 million a cut of $146 million (64%) compared to FY 2017. This proposal recommends funding for only the NURSE Corps (Loan Repayment and Scholarship program) and eliminates the funding for the following Title VIII programs:
• Advanced Nursing Education Grants (ANE), ANE Traineeships, and Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships
• Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Program
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program
• Nursing Workforce Diversity Grants
• Comprehensive Geriatric Education Grants
For nearly a decade, the Nursing Community’s mission has been founded on promoting America’s health through nursing care. Nurses are integral to the healthcare system. Whether in remote rural areas or large urban cities, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are proven high-quality providers who lead and partner to ensure successful care continuity and transitions. Our organizations are deeply concerned by the far-reaching effects of the President’s recommendations.
Cuts of this magnitude would do irreparable harm to the nation’s nursing education programs and in turn access to care. We believe that the healthcare delivery system should be one that promotes wellness, advances research through scientific discovery, and provides timely access to care. With over four million licensed RNs, APRNs, and nursing students, the profession embodies the drive and passion to continually improve care for patients, families, and communities across the continuum. RNs and APRNs are needed to provide quality care and safeguard public health. Without these critical dollars, the necessary programs that support the pipeline of future nurses and the faculty who educate them will be a step backwards for the nation’s health.
Spearheaded by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Rodney Davis (R-IL), a total of 91 Members of Congress signed a Dear Colleague letter that was submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education supporting a funding level of $244 million for the Title VIII programs in FY 2018. This bipartisan show of force represents an understanding that these programs deserve a long-term investment.
The Nursing Community is also concerned about the proposed cuts to the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). The proposal recommends cutting the institute by approximately 24%, dropping the funding from $150 million in FY 2017 to $114 million in FY 2018. Nursing science transforms how care is delivered at the bedside, in the community, and in the home. Nurse researchers are on the cutting edge in their discoveries by incorporating precision health, data science, and evolving technology. Many of the findings from nursing science can be put directly to practice changing lives and wellness.
The 51 undersigned Nursing Community organizations will be working with Congress to pass a budget that is sustainable and takes direct steps to spur scientific discovery and increase access to the care patients need and deserve. Please call on the Nursing Community to be a voice for the profession and our patients by contacting Dr. Suzanne Miyamoto, at 202-463-6930 ext. 247 or SMiyamoto@aacn.nche.edu.
Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing
American Academy of Nursing
American Association for Men in Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Nephrology Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
American Organization of Nurse Executives
American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Public Health Association, Public Health Nursing Section
American Society for Pain Management Nursing
American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
Association for Radiologic and Imaging Nursing
Association of Community Health Nursing Educators
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Association of Public Health Nurses
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
Dermatology Nurses’ Association
Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association
Emergency Nurses Association
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
Infusion Nurses Society
International Association of Forensic Nurses
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Black Nurses Association
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers
National League for Nursing
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs
Oncology Nursing Society
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association
Society of Pediatric Nurses
Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society