Problem Solvers Back Bill to Address Health Care Workforce Shortage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Grants for Resources in Occupational and Workforce Training for Healthcare (GROWTH) Act, legislation to increase grant funding opportunities for nursing programs at community colleges.
The United States is facing a critical shortage of healthcare workers, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that more than 275,000 additional registered nurses will be needed in the following decade. This shortage has already led to reduced services at healthcare facilities nationwide and longer wait time for patients. Addressing this shortage requires increasing access to nursing education.
The GROWTH Act would expand eligibility to the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention – Pathway to Registered Nurse Program (NEPQR) to include community colleges. The bill would also prioritize allocating up to 50 percent of total funds to community colleges or partnerships with community colleges; currently, most health resources grants go to four-year colleges and universities.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), John James (MI-10), David Trone (MD-06), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and has five additional cosponsors, all of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Ciscomani and Gluesenkamp Perez.
"The national nursing workforce shortage is affecting health facilities across the United States and could lead to a lower standard of care," said Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services. "My legislation, the GROWTH Act, addresses this shortage by expanding eligibility and priority for nursing programs at community, Tribal, and junior colleges. As a graduate of Pima Community College, I know firsthand how critical these institutions are to our students and workforce, and I am proud to work to ensure these institutions receive the same opportunities as a four-year university. I will continue to push this legislation forward and am grateful to have the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus."
“Rural communities like mine are facing a hollowing out of healthcare providers and critical workforce shortages. By supporting young people pursuing nursing careers in their own communities, we can expand access to care and provide opportunities for our next generation,” said Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). “Our bipartisan GROWTH Act will level the playing field for community colleges by opening up access to federal grants for nursing bridge programs. At a time when community colleges receive less federal support than four-year institutions, we need to level the playing field so more students can benefit from valuable career training regardless of where they attend school. The endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus is an important step forward in that work.”
"Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, delivering critical care when it’s needed most. To ensure our nation maintains a strong healthcare workforce, we must equip academic institutions with the resources to properly fund programs that educate and empower these healthcare heroes," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "With a nursing shortage looming, this legislation is vital to the health of our communities, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this crucial initiative."
"We cannot allow emergency rooms and hospitals to be forced to turn away people seeking help or have patients waiting hours for care due to a shortage of healthcare professionals. The GROWTH Act will be critical in addressing the nursing shortage — which is a five-alarm fire for health care — while also supporting our community colleges,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). "I’m glad the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse this bipartisan legislation so that more resources can help those who will help care for our communities.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.