Congress funds school nurses for low-income students—a rare bipartisan health win
H.R. 3262 — NURSE Act · Filed by Dina Titus (D-NV) · 4 cosponsors · Introduced May 7, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
The NURSE Act authorizes federal demonstration grants (2026–2030) to help school districts hire registered nurses in under-resourced public schools. Eligible districts must have at least 20% of students on free/reduced lunch and apply competitively; the federal government covers up to 75% of costs in year one, declining thereafter to encourage local sustainability. The bill aims to ensure every school has a full-time nurse to manage chronic diseases, provide mental health support, and improve student attendance and academic outcomes.
Why we flagged it
The bill establishes a federal demonstration grant program to increase school nurse staffing in under-resourced public schools. It is a straightforward public health measure targeting student wellness and academic support through nursing services.
What the text implies
- Federal funding mechanism may create dependency on annual appropriations; schools could face nurse layoffs if grants expire or funding is reduced, creating workforce instability.
- Demonstration grant structure (2026–2030) is time-limited; without permanent authorization or sustained appropriations, gains in nurse staffing may not persist beyond the pilot period.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
healthcare staffing agencies; nursing education programs; school districts (indirect labor cost relief)