On October 13, 2011, the Nursing Community wrote to request that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction thoughtfully consider discretionary spending that supports America’s health and the education of our healthcare providers. The Nursing Community believes it necessary to avoid detrimental cuts to federal programs that support workforce growth in a time of high demand for health care and healthcare providers. Understanding fully the difficult choices facing the Committee, the Nursing Community respectfully wished to emphasize the critical importance of healthcare and education funding.

On October 5, 2011, the Nursing Community co-hosted “A Reception to Celebrate A Year of Progress: the Institute of Medicine’s Report Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” The event was co-hosted by AARP, Center to Champion Nursing in America, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Champion Nursing Coalition, and the Nursing Community in collaboration with the House and Senate Nursing Caucuses was attended by over 100 guests including a number of Congressional staff. Remarks were provided by Susan Hassmiller, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Senior Adviser for Nursing, Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President, State and National Group, AARP and Brian Cooper, Target Clinics and Champion Nursing Coalition Representative. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), co-chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus, attended and offer remarks as well as Representative Lois Capps, RN (D-CA), co-chair of the House Nursing Caucus, who also addressed the guests. The reception provided the unique opportunity to reflect on various achievements made at the local, state, and federal level as well as thoughtfully consider future strategies to move forward the reports’ recommendations.

The Nursing Community Welcomes New Members of Congress!