Back to News Policy Watch: Title VIII and Student Loan Updates Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | Policy & Advocacy Yesterday, AACN and the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) co-hosted a Congressional briefing at the Rayburn House Office Building titled "Powered by Evidence: Quality Patient Care Requires Nursing Science." Panelists included: Dr. Jeanne Alhusen, University of Virginia School of Nursing; Dr. Michael Cary, Duke University School of Nursing; and Johane Joseph, a patient and advocate. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Antonia M. Villarruel, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, with brief remarks from AACN President/CEO Dr. Deborah Trautman and AAN President Dr. Linda Scott as well as Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14). Title VIII Reauthorization: Let's Keep the Momentum Going! Last Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on legislative proposals to improve the healthcare workforce, including reauthorizing the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs. Email your members of Congress today urging them to cosponsor and pass the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R.3593/S.1874). The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 currently has the support of 13 bipartisan Senators and 5 bipartisan Representatives. Further, 62 national nursing organizations, as well as the American Association of Medical Colleges, have voiced their support for Title VIII reauthorization. You can also share your experiences with AACN about how funding for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) impacts your school of nursing and community. Your stories may be featured on AACN’s Face of Academic Nursing webpage. Federal Policy Updates On July 14, AACN signed onto a Nursing Community Coalition letter thanking the Senators and Representatives who introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.1874/H.R.3593). Also on July 14, AACN sent a letter to Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) thanking them for introducing the Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt (POST GRAD) Act (H.R.3711/S.1948). U.S. Department of Education announces immediate implementation of higher education provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. View all updates from Policy Watch