S.547 - Train More Nurses Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.547, the "Train More Nurses Act," directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a review of grant programs supporting the nursing workforce. The bill mandates a report to Congress within one year, including recommendations to improve these programs. The goal is to increase nurse faculty, especially in underserved areas, create pathways for experienced nurses to become faculty, and expand the nursing pipeline.
Expected Effects
This bill, if enacted, would lead to a comprehensive review of existing grant programs aimed at supporting the nursing workforce. The resulting report and recommendations could influence future funding and policy decisions related to nursing education and training. Ultimately, this could lead to an increase in the number of qualified nurses, particularly in underserved areas.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Nurse Faculty: Addressing the shortage of nurse educators, especially in underserved regions.
- Experienced Nurse Pathways: Facilitating the transition of experienced nurses into faculty roles.
- Expanded Nursing Pipeline: Encouraging more individuals to enter the nursing profession through various pathways.
- Improved Grant Program Effectiveness: Optimizing the use of grant funding to support nursing workforce development.
- Better Healthcare Access: Potentially improving healthcare access by increasing the number of qualified nurses.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Ineffective Recommendations: The review may not yield practical or impactful recommendations.
- Implementation Challenges: Even with good recommendations, implementation may face bureaucratic or funding hurdles.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses solely on grant programs, potentially overlooking other factors affecting the nursing workforce.
- Reporting Burden: The requirement for a report adds an administrative burden on the involved agencies.
- No Guaranteed Funding: The bill does not guarantee any additional funding for nursing programs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve public health by addressing the nursing shortage. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". The bill's focus on education and workforce development also aligns with the implied powers of Congress to enact legislation necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers. Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).