Tucson Standard

U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20) have introduced new bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting additional funding for nursing programs at community colleges. The legislation, known as the Grants for Resources in Occupational Workforce Training for Healthcare (GROWTH) Act, seeks to expand eligibility for Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention–Pathway to Registered Nurse Program (NEPQR) grants to include community colleges. Currently, the majority of these grants are directed towards 4-year institutions.

Representative Ciscomani, a proud graduate of Pima Community College, emphasized the importance of community colleges in providing equal opportunities and funding for students pursuing nursing careers. He stated, "These students should have the same opportunities and funding as their counterparts at a 4-year university. This bill strengthens our nursing workforce while improving the programs offered by our community colleges."

Representative Cherfilus-McCormick highlighted the impact of the national nursing shortage on healthcare facilities and the need to remove financial barriers for community college students pursuing nursing careers. She stated, "That is precisely why we must make it easier for community college students to pursue a successful career in nursing, without worrying about financial hurdles. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan GROWTH Act of 2023, which will bolster our healthcare system and address this critical workforce shortage."

The GROWTH Act has garnered support from several other representatives, including John James (R-MI-10), David Trone (D-MD-06), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03). Additionally, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Families USA have expressed their support for the legislation.

Dr. Dolores Duran-Cerda, the Interim Chancellor for Pima Community College, commended the GROWTH Act for its potential to expand access to grants for community colleges. She stated, "We are very excited by Congressman Ciscomani's GROWTH Act, which would expand community colleges' ability to access the Nursing Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Pathway grants, helping colleges like ours to better serve our communities and our learners."

Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, the President and CEO of the AACC, emphasized the critical role that community colleges play in the nation's nursing workforce. He stated, "Community colleges make an essential contribution to the country's nursing workforce, conferring 75% of all associate nursing degrees in 2019-20. These community college nursing programs play a critical role in the nation's workforce but receive virtually no funding through the basic federal nursing program. This important legislation would help these colleges secure badly needed resources to support and expand these costly educational programs while helping to broaden the nation's nursing workforce and enhance patient care."

With nearly one-third of nurses in the United States considering leaving the profession, the nursing shortage remains a pressing issue. Community colleges have been recognized as instrumental institutions in training and educating healthcare workers. In fact, at least twenty-five members of Congress attended or graduated from a community college.

The GROWTH Act aims to address the nursing shortage by providing additional funding to community college nursing programs. By expanding eligibility for NEPQR grants, this legislation seeks to ensure that community college students have the same opportunities and resources as their counterparts in 4-year institutions. This bipartisan effort demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce and improving access to quality care in the United States.

To find out more, go to this link: https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-cherfilus-mccormick-sponsor-new-bipartisan-effort-support-community