> Download as a PDF file September 9, 2010 Representative David Obey Chairman Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education Committee on Appropriations U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Senator Tom Harkin Chairman Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education Committee on Appropriations U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Obey and Chairman Harkin: On behalf of the Nursing Community, a forum of professional nursing organizations representing over 850,000 Registered Nurses (RNs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), nurse faculty, students, and researchers, the 45 undersigned organizations are writing to express our appreciation for the level of funding provided to the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII, Public Health Service Act) in the respective House and Senate FY 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bills. Your Subcommittees investment of $292 million for nursing education illustrates support for and recognition of the fundamental role nurses play in our nations healthcare system. RNs and APRNs are vital to ensuring direct availability to high quality, cost-effective health care. At a time when nearly 30 million individuals will soon have access to health insurance as a result of the health reform law, RNs and APRNs will be in great demand in all areas of our nation. Significantly increasing the level of funding for nursing education will benefit future RNs and APRNs, but also the American public at large. We recognize the magnitude this funding will have on the growth of the nursing workforce and thank you for your foresight to provide such a strong investment. The Nursing Community stands ready to offer our support and assistance to ensure that this level of funding is enacted during the FY 2011 appropriations process. We thank you in advance for your continued support of the Nursing Workforce Development programs. Please let us know how we can be of any assistance as the appropriations process moves forward. Sincerely, AANAC Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing American Academy of Nurse Practitioners American Academy of Nursing American Association of Colleges of Nursing American Association of Critical-Care Nurses American Association of Nurse Anesthetists American College of Nurse Practitioners American College of Nurse-Midwives American Nephrology Nurses' Association American Nurses Association American Organization of Nurse Executives American Psychiatric Nurses Association American Society for Pain Management Nursing American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association of Community Health Nursing Educators Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Association of Rehabilitation Nurses Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service Dermatology Nurses' Association Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Infusion Nurses Society International Association of Forensic Nurses International Nurses Society on Addictions International Society of Psychiatric Nursing National American Arab Nurses Association National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Black Nurses Association National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations National Nursing Centers Consortium National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties National Student Nurses Association, Inc. Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs Oncology Nursing Society Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association Public Health Nursing Section, American Public Health Association Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates Visiting Nurses Associations of America Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
