Published May 20, 2020 
Notice for Comments: Nurse Faculty Loan Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requests comments on the Nurse Faculty Loan Program’s (NFLP) Specific Data Form and on the NFLP-APR Financial Data Form. NFLP’s Specific Data Form is crucial in determining the amount of the award that goes to an individual school of nursing, and the NFLP-APR Financial Data Form is important in collecting data that captures loan fund account activity. These comments should be submitted no later than June 11. We highly encourage all schools to submit comments, answer the questions, and outline any barriers you are experiencing to utilize these funds effectively. Please direct any questions to AACN’s Director of Policy, Dr. Colleen Leners, at cleners@aacnnursing.org. For more information and to submit comments, view the Federal Register notice.
Congressional Update: House Passes HEROES Act and Resolution to Allow for Proxy Voting
On May 15, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act by nearly a party-line vote of 208-199, with one Republican voting in favor and 14 Democrats voting against this package. Estimated at $3 trillion, this legislation provides nearly $1 trillion in funding for states and local governments. In addition, H.R. 6800 includes monies to subsidize home internet connections for certain college students, broadband provisions, monies for frontline workers, and debt reduction for those student loan borrowers who were in default or deferral as of March 12.
In a historic vote, the House also passed H. Res. 965 which allows for remote Congressional Committee proceedings and remote voting by proxy during the COVID-19 pandemic. These rule changes, the first in Congress’ history, will allow Representatives to continue to function as safely and effectively as possible during these unprecedented times.
AACN will continue to monitor the federal response and work with Congress and the Administration as they address this public health challenge. For additional updates and information, please visit AACN’s Advocacy and Policy COVID-19 Efforts webpage and follow us on Twitter at @AACNPolicy.
The Administration Discusses Reopening Colleges with Higher Education Leaders
On May 13, Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx discussed reopening plans with Presidents and Chancellors of universities around the nation. Much of the discussion focused on the Interim Guidance for Administrators of U.S. Institutions of Higher Education document created by the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The conversation included discussions on possible options these schools are considering to safely and responsibly open campuses, including how best to maintain academic research labs to assist with combating COVID-19. For summary of this conversation, click here.