[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14098-14100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TITLE VIII NURSING WORKFORCE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2016

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2713) to amend title VIII of the Public Health Service Act 
to extend advanced education nursing grants to support clinical nurse 
specialist programs, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2713

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Title VIII Nursing Workforce 
     Reauthorization Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. SUPPORTING CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS.

       (a) Advanced Education Nursing Grants.--Section 811 of the 
     Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296j) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``clinical nurse 
     leaders,'' before ``or public health nurses'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
     (g) and (h), respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Authorized Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs.--
     Clinical nurse specialist programs eligible for support under 
     this section are education programs that--
       ``(1) provide registered nurses with full-time clinical 
     nurse specialist education; and
       ``(2) have as their objective the education of clinical 
     nurse specialists who will upon completion of such a program 
     be qualified to effectively provide care to inpatients and 
     outpatients experiencing acute and chronic illness.''.
       (b) Definition of Nurse-Managed Health Clinic.--Section 801 
     of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(18) Nurse-managed health clinic.--The term `nurse-
     managed health clinic' has the meaning given to such term in 
     section 330A-1.''.
       (c) National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and 
     Practice.--Section 851(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 297t(b)(1)(A)(iv)) is amended by 
     striking ``and nurse anesthetists'' and inserting ``nurse 
     anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists''.

[[Page 14099]]



     SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF FUNDING FOR NURSING PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Title VIII of the Public Health Service 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (i)(1) of section 846 (42 U.S.C. 297n; 
     loan repayment and scholarship programs), by striking ``such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2003 
     through 2007'' and inserting ``$83,135,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2017 through 2021'';
       (2) in subsection (f) of section 846A (42 U.S.C. 297n-1; 
     nurse faculty loan program), by striking ``such sums as may 
     be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014'' and 
     inserting ``$26,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 
     2021'';
       (3) in subsection (e) of section 865 (42 U.S.C. 298; 
     comprehensive geriatric education), by striking ``such sums 
     as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 
     2014'' and inserting ``$38,737,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2017 through 2021''; and
       (4) in section 871 (42 U.S.C. 298d; funding for carrying 
     out parts B, C, and D), by striking ``$338,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
     fiscal years 2011 through 2016'' and inserting ``$119,837,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021''.
       (b) Conforming Changes.--
       (1) Section 831 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     296p) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (g), by striking ``,,'' and inserting 
     ``,''; and
       (B) by striking subsection (h).
       (2) Section 831A of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 296p-1) is amended by striking subsection (g).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2713, the Title VIII 
Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2016, introduced by my 
colleague, Representative Lois Capps, and supported by over 70 Members 
of the House.
  H.R. 2713 reauthorizes the Title VIII program, which has been funded 
since 1964. This reauthorization will help many nurses, including 
advanced practice nurses, better serve acute and chronic patients 
through 2020. Title VIII also includes a National Advisory Council on 
Nurse Education and Practice. Nurses are on the front lines of our 
healthcare system and interact with almost every patient who depends on 
them to provide quality care.
  This legislation is CutGo compliant and enjoyed broad support in the 
Energy and Commerce Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2713, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce 
Reauthorization Act. This important public health bill would 
reauthorize nursing workforce programs that support education, 
training, recruitment, and retention efforts.
  Title VIII nursing workforce programs are the primary source of 
Federal support for nursing education and training. These programs are 
needed to address the growing shortage of registered nurses which 
threaten to harm the quality of care that patients receive in the 
United States healthcare delivery system. These vital programs have 
endured widespread bipartisan support that I hope will continue today.
  I want to thank Congresswoman Capps for her work on this bill and for 
her longstanding leadership in promoting Federal efforts that advance 
the nursing profession.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bill in order to help 
ensure that we have the nursing workforce needed to meet our Nation's 
growing demand for nursing services.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Joyce).
  Mr. JOYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today in support of H.R. 
2713, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act.
  First, I want to thank my good friend and co-chair, Lois Capps, for 
her hard work on this legislation.
  As a husband of a nurse, I know how important nurses are to their 
patients and all aspects of care. Their leadership, compassionate care, 
and team approach to healthcare delivery is why nurses are the most 
trusted profession in America.
  This legislation specifically helps sustain a nursing workforce with 
sufficient numbers to keep America's healthcare system running 
smoothly. It strengthens nursing education at all levels, from entry-
level preparation through graduate study, and provides support for 
institutions that educate nurses for practice in rural and medically 
underserved communities.
  Reauthorizing Title VIII programs ensure that these key initiatives 
have an authorization for funding through fiscal year 2021. I believe 
Title VIII is a long-term investment which will help propel the nursing 
profession forward to meet the changing healthcare needs.
  We must recruit, support, and train a strong nursing workforce, and 
this bill will ensure that happens. So, please, stand with me today in 
support of our nurses and this vital legislation.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Joyce) for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Capps), one of the nurses of the House of 
Representatives.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2713, the Title VIII 
Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, a bill I authored to strengthen 
our Nation's nursing workforce.
  Nurses are there for the most intimate times of a person's life. They 
touch the lives of patients and their families every day, not only 
ensuring proper care but supporting them through difficult diagnoses 
and helping them navigate the many complexities of our healthcare 
system--and they do it well.
  Time and time again, my colleagues here on the Hill will tell me 
about the excellent nursing care they or a family member received. In 
many ways, nurses are the backbone of the healthcare delivery system. 
We need to keep that backbone strong.
  That is exactly what Title VIII has done for over 50 years. In fact, 
Title VIII is the primary program our Nation has to strengthen and grow 
the nursing workforce. And it does so through targeted investments in 
the recruitment, retention, and distribution of these highly educated 
professionals who comprise our Nation's nursing workforce.

                              {time}  1445

  It bolsters nursing education at all levels, from entry-level 
preparation through graduate study. It helps nurses repay student loans 
in exchange for working in underserved areas. It provides support for 
institutions that educate nurses for practice in rural and medically 
underserved communities, with a special focus on ensuring nurses are 
ready and able to care for our Nation's aging population; and it 
provides support for nurse educators so that they will be there--ready 
and willing--to teach the next generation of nursing professionals.
  It is also worth noting that title VIII has been incredibly 
successful. From 2006 to 2013 alone, title VIII supported more than 
520,000 nurses and nursing students in getting them trained and into 
the field. H.R. 2713 would continue this impressive track record. Our 
bill is a bipartisan effort to ensure that these programs can continue 
while updating them to recognize advances in the profession. That is 
why it has the support from so many of my colleagues here in Congress 
as well as from over 50 nursing organizations.
  I thank and acknowledge my Congressional Nursing Caucus co-chair, 
Representative David Joyce from Ohio, who joined me to lead this 
reauthorization effort. He has been a strong advocate for nurses and a 
great partner in

[[Page 14100]]

that effort. I again thank Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Pallone 
and their staffs for moving this bill forward, and I thank my long-time 
health policy adviser, Adriane Casalotti, who has worked tirelessly 
with me, on behalf of this bill and the nursing profession, over the 
course of her career on Capitol Hill.
  Now I hope the House would indulge me for a moment.
  As a nurse myself before my coming to Congress and as cofounder and 
co-chair of the House Nursing Caucus, I could not be more proud that we 
are here today. As some of my colleagues may remember, in 2002, one of 
my earliest priorities in Congress--the Nurse Reinvestment Act--became 
law. It was an important update to the title VIII program to ensure 
that it would meet the most pressing needs of our healthcare system. 
The bill we are considering today is a continuation of that work I 
began so many years ago. Much has changed during this time in Congress, 
but our ability to come together to support nurses and the nursing 
profession in a bipartisan way has not changed.
  I thank my colleagues on my behalf and all of our Nation's nurses for 
this commitment then, now, and in the years to come. Making the Title 
VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act law is a critical way to 
fulfill this commitment, so I urge strong support for this bill.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2713, 
the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2016, which 
reauthorizes the title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs that 
are overseen by the Health Resources and Service Administration.
  As integral members of the healthcare team, nurses serve in a wide 
variety of delivery settings and collaborate with other professionals 
to improve the quality of America's healthcare system. Registered 
nurses comprise the largest group of health professionals, with over 3 
million licensed providers, and offer essential care to patients in a 
variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, 
community centers, schools, workplaces, and patients' homes.
  For many students, title VIII support means the difference between 
their ability to enter into the nursing profession and not. In 2014, 
title VIII funding brought nearly $5 million to the State of Georgia to 
bolster nursing education at all levels--from entry level preparation 
through graduate study--and also to provide support for institutions 
and nurse faculty.
  This legislation demonstrates a commitment to the future generations 
of practicing nurses, nurse faculty, and researchers across the 
country. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I 
am grateful to Lois Capps and David Joyce.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on this important 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support to H.R. 2713, the 
``Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2015,'' which 
extends advanced education nursing grants to support clinical nurse 
specialist programs.
  Specifically, I am pleased that this legislation:
  Includes clinical nurse leaders as advanced education nurses, thereby 
making clinical nurse leader education programs eligible for advanced 
education nursing grants. (Clinical nurse leaders are advanced 
generalist clinicians who apply research and coordinate care in order 
to improve outcomes for patients.);
  Describes the clinical nurse specialist programs that are eligible 
for grants and federal aid;
  Reauthorizes funding for nursing programs by extending loan 
repayments and programs through 2020.
  H.R. 2713 will provide a general sum of money, as may be necessary, 
for the fiscal years 2016 through 2020, allowing Congress to 
appropriate funds as necessity arises.
  Importantly, this bill also includes a focus on comprehensive 
geriatric education, helping to ensure that our parents and 
grandparents are treated by knowledgeable and well educated personnel.
  Student debt has proven an increasing concern for nursing students as 
the price of programs grows steeper, while employment opportunities 
grow sparse.
  Of recent nursing school graduates in 2012 and 2013, more than \1/3\ 
of borrowing students in the field were unemployed upon graduation, 
despite a national increase in general recent graduate employment.
  Additionally, 74 percent of recently graduated nursing students are 
straddled with loan repayment obligations, a number that is slightly 
higher than the 71 percent of all new recent graduates battling 
unsurmountable student debt.
  Providing nursing students with additional time to repay these loans 
is incredibly important, and I am happy to see this aspect of the bill 
renewed and increased.
  Within Houston, MD Anderson, Texas Children's Hospital, Memorial 
Hermann Hospital, and St. Joseph's are only a few of the medical 
centers in the city requiring skilled nurses.
  In 2011, nearly 22,000 vocational and registered nurses practiced 
within the city of Houston, making it the largest employer in the 
state.
  Supporting the nursing workforce in furtherance of advanced education 
is critical and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 
2713, the ``Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2015.''
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2713, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________