AACN was deeply disappointed by a Congressional vote last week to cut federal programs supporting nurse faculty and pathways into the profession. To see more details about the impact on Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs and NINR, click here.

Federal Policy Updates

• On September 12, AACN submitted comments to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule; AACN also sign onto comments led by the APRN Workgroup to CMS.
• On September 15, AACN signed onto a letter lead by Voices for Non-Opioid Choices regarding the implementation of the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation ("NOPAIN") Act and urging Congress to ensure patients can access all FDA-approved non-opioid treatment options that are used in the post-surgical setting and that such products qualify for separate payment under the NOPAIN Act.
• Research!America launched the Americans for Medical Research landing page, a campaign to share stories from researchers, clinicians, and patients about the importance of medical research in their lives.
• CMS initiated the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program.
• The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the appointment of five new members to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with meetings to be held September 18 and 19.

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