Ciscomani's Bill to Address Healthcare Workforce Shortage Endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus

The Grants for Resources in Occupational Workforce Training for Healthcare (GROWTH) Act (H.R. 6078) would expand eligibility of and access to the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention–Pathway to Registered Nurse Program (NEPQR) to include nursing programs in community, Tribal, and junior colleges. This bill also allows the allocation of up to 50% of total funds to community colleges or partnerships with community colleges. Currently, the vast majority of these grants go to traditional 4-year institutions.  

"The national nursing workforce shortage is affecting health facilities across the United States and could lead to a lower standard of care," said Ciscomani, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services. "My legislation, the GROWTH Act, addresses this shortage by expanding eligibility and priority for nursing programs at community, Tribal, and junior colleges. As a graduate of Pima Community College, I know firsthand how critical these institutions are to our students and workforce, and I am proud to work to ensure these institutions receive the same opportunities as a four-year university. I will continue to push this legislation forward and am grateful to have the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus." 

“Rural communities like mine are facing a hollowing out of healthcare providers and critical workforce shortages. By supporting young people pursuing nursing careers in their own communities, we can expand access to care and provide opportunities for our next generation,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our bipartisan GROWTH Act will level the playing field for community colleges by opening up access to federal grants for nursing bridge programs. At a time when community colleges receive less federal support than four-year institutions, we need to level the playing field so more students can benefit from valuable career training regardless of where they attend school. The endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus is an important step forward in that work.” 

"Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, delivering critical care when it’s needed most. To ensure our nation maintains a strong healthcare workforce, we must equip academic institutions with the resources to properly fund programs that educate and empower these healthcare heroes," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "With a nursing shortage looming, this legislation is vital to the health of our communities, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting this crucial initiative." 

"We cannot allow emergency rooms and hospitals to be forced to turn away people seeking help or have patients waiting hours for care due to a shortage of healthcare professionals,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “The GROWTH Act will be critical in addressing the nursing shortage — which is a five-alarm fire for health care — while also supporting our community colleges. I’m glad the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse this bipartisan legislation so that more resources can help those who will help care for our communities.” 

Read the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsement here.  

Find full text for the legislation here. 

This legislation is also supported by American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Families USA.   

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