Robert Ehrlich: “I rise to commend this Congress for bringing to this floor important legislation to address the national nursing…”

“I rise to commend this Congress for bringing to this floor important legislation to address the national nursing shortage. This bill, which the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) has worked so hard to pass, will assist the Secretary of HHS in addressing the nursing shortage around the country. As we have heard, the bill amends the Public Health Service act to empower the Secretary to develop and issue public service announcements to advertise and promote the nursing profession. The bill allows for national public service announcements, as well as authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to State and local communities to promote nursing, highlight the advantages and rewards of nursing, and encourage individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the profession. Second, the legislation establishes a scholarship program to allow the Secretary to enter into contracts with individuals to serve in medically underserved areas. In return for service to those in need, sometimes in dire need, the Federal Government will provide to these nurses scholarships to pay for the cost of their education. The third provision of the bill instructs the GAO to conduct a study of the shortage of highly trained nurse faculty who are charged with educating bedside nurses.”