Published November 04, 2020 
Looking Ahead to the Lame Duck Session
With Election 2020 at the front of our minds, and as results continue to trickle in, we look ahead to the lame duck session. Traditionally, a lame duck session is the time after an election and before the new Congress convenes. This lame duck session has many items on the docket, including:
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Funding of the Federal Government: On September 30, Congress passed a short-term Continuing Resolution or CR until December 11, which gives legislators time during the lame duck session to consider ways to fund the federal government in fiscal year (FY) 2021.
- Possible Consideration of a COVID-19 relief package;
- Congressional New Member Orientation; and
- Leadership Elections for the 117th Congress, among others.
AACN will monitor actions during the lame duck session. We urge AACN Advocates to take action today and ask your Representative and Senators to prioritize support for academic nursing by investing in our schools, faculty, and students. Let’s end the 116th Congress on a strong note.
AACN Attends Webinar on Building Vaccination Confidence in Communities of Color
On October 21, AACN attended a webinar titled, “Ensuring COVID-19 Vaccine Access, Safety, and Utilization: Building Vaccination Confidence in Communities of Color,” hosted by Trust for America’s Health. Michelle Cantu, Director for Infectious Disease and Immunization at the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University, and Julie Morita, Executive Vice President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provided insights into the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how it has brought to light inequities in the public health system. The speakers discussed historical reasons for vaccine hesitancy, underlined the ongoing vaccination disparities, and recommended pathways to build vaccine confidence and improve access, particularly in communities of color. Click here to watch the webinar and learn more.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Funding Opportunity
On October 13, the Indian Health Service (IHS) launched a Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans in exchange for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs. Current funding for this program is estimated to support more than 500 awards in one- or two-year contracts. Those selected to participate in the fiscal year 2021 program cycle must begin their service by September 30, 2021. For more details on eligible applicants as well as application and submission information for this funding opportunity, click here.
