A complete substitute amendment. v2 replaces the entirety of v1's text, reauthorizing existing nursing workforce development programs with updated fiscal years and introducing two significant new programs: a Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program to address faculty shortages and a State and Regional Nursing Workforce Center Data Collection Pilot Program.
Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
- Committees
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 28, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to address critical nursing shortages by bolstering federal support for nursing education, faculty recruitment and retention, and data-driven workforce planning.
What it actually does
This bill reauthorizes and expands federal nursing workforce development programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act. It enhances advanced nursing education grants, strengthens nurse education capacity by broadening eligible uses of funds, establishes a new demonstration program to supplement nursing faculty salaries, and creates a pilot program for State and regional nursing workforce data collection. The bill also increases authorized appropriations for these programs through fiscal year 2031.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill is crucial for strengthening the national nursing pipeline, addressing persistent and growing nursing shortages across various specialties and geographic areas. They contend that supporting nursing faculty through salary supplements is vital to ensure enough educators are available to train the next generation of nurses, while improved data collection will lead to more effective workforce strategies.
Opponents contend
No specific organized opposition to this bill's core provisions is publicly documented, given its focus on addressing a widely recognized healthcare workforce need and its bipartisan support. Potential general criticisms, if any, might revolve around the overall level of federal spending or the long-term sustainability of temporary salary supplements without broader structural changes.
The bill is relatively concise and its provisions are clearly laid out, making it accessible for an informed reader to evaluate within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2
Advanced Nursing Education Grants Expansion
This section amends the Public Health Service Act to clarify and expand the types of advanced nursing education programs eligible for federal grants. It explicitly includes nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, nurse anesthesia, and clinical nurse specialist programs. Additionally, it specifies that grant funds can cover costs for clinical education and preceptors, which are essential components of advanced nursing training.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that explicitly listing these advanced programs and covering clinical education costs ensures that federal grants effectively support the full spectrum of advanced nursing roles critical for patient care, especially in underserved areas. Compensating preceptors is seen as vital for maintaining high-quality clinical training experiences.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it clarifies and expands existing support for essential healthcare roles.
Tradeoffs
The provision aims to balance the need for comprehensive advanced nursing education with the financial realities of providing high-quality clinical training, which often relies on unpaid or underpaid preceptors.
Section 3
Strengthening Capacity for Nurse Education and Practice
This section expands the scope of grants available to strengthen nursing education. It allows funds to be used for modern educational tools like audiovisual equipment, simulation, augmented reality, and telehealth technologies. Crucially, it adds 'increasing the number of faculty and students at schools of nursing' as a direct purpose. It also broadens the populations served to include survivors of sexual assault and encourages partnerships with healthcare facilities to expand clinical education opportunities.
Section 4
Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program
This section establishes a new demonstration program to provide grants to accredited nursing schools to supplement the salaries of eligible nursing faculty members for up to three years. The goal is to enhance recruitment and retention of faculty by bridging the salary gap between clinical practice and academic roles. Grants are calculated based on the difference between average clinical nurse salaries and faculty salaries, with priority given to schools demonstrating high need or serving vulnerable populations. The program is authorized for $15 million for FY2027-2031 and includes a sunset clause.
Section 5
State and Regional Nursing Workforce Center Data Collection Pilot Program
This section establishes a 3-year pilot program for the Secretary to award grants or contracts to eligible entities (State agencies, boards of nursing, nonprofits, or schools of nursing) to create new or enhance existing State and regional nursing workforce centers. These centers will collect, analyze, and report data on nursing workforce training programs and provide technical assistance. The program requires a 1:4 non-Federal matching contribution and mandates regular reports to Congress on its impact and best practices.
Section 6
Authorization of Appropriations for Title VIII Programs
This section reauthorizes and increases the appropriations for various Title VIII nursing workforce development programs. It authorizes $184,337,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for general Title VIII programs (up from $137,837,000 for FY2021-2025). It also authorizes $121,135,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for specific parts of Title VIII (up from $117,135,000 for FY2021-2025).
The authority of the Secretary to award grants under the Nurse Faculty Demonstration Program terminates on September 30, 2031.
Section 4(9)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for demonstration programs or pilot initiatives, allowing for a period of evaluation before deciding on permanent authorization. It is not necessarily evasive.
Case for: Supporters would argue that a sunset clause encourages rigorous evaluation of the program's effectiveness and allows Congress to make informed decisions about its future, ensuring accountability for federal spending.
Case against: Critics might contend that a sunset clause creates uncertainty for schools and faculty, potentially limiting the program's long-term impact on recruitment and retention if participants perceive it as a temporary measure.
Estimated impact: The program is authorized for $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The sunset clause limits the duration of this specific grant-awarding authority.
The funding for the State and Regional Nursing Workforce Center Data Collection Pilot Program (up to $1,500,000 for FY2027-2029) is conditional. It shall not apply for a fiscal year unless the amount made available to carry out parts B, C, and D of Title VIII for such fiscal year exceeds the amount appropriated to carry out such parts for fiscal year 2026.
Section 5(i)(2)
Why it matters:This is a legislative mechanism to prioritize core Title VIII programs. It ensures that the pilot program's funding does not detract from existing, established nursing workforce initiatives unless overall funding for those programs increases. This is a common budgetary maneuver.
Case for: Proponents would argue this condition ensures that the new pilot program is an additive investment, not one that cannibalizes funding from existing, vital Title VIII programs. It prioritizes the continuation and growth of established initiatives.
Case against: Critics might argue that this condition makes the pilot program's funding uncertain and potentially delays its implementation, especially if overall Title VIII appropriations do not increase significantly year-over-year. This could hinder the development of crucial data infrastructure.
Estimated impact: The pilot program is authorized for up to $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029, but this funding is contingent on other Title VIII appropriations. The actual amount spent could be zero if the condition is not met.