On September 18, AACN joined nearly 400 research advocacy organizations to advocate for increased investments in the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), during the Rally for Medical Research. During the Rally, AACN educated Congressional staff on the essential role of nurse researchers and scientists as they make groundbreaking and lifesaving healthcare discoveries that inform nursing practice and education.

Federal Policy Updates

• On September 19, AACN signed onto a letter led by the Alliance for Aging Research urging the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to recommend the full schedule of vaccines and ensure access and patient choice.
• On September 17, AACN submitted comments to the Department of Education expressing the importance of, and continued support for, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs, particularly for nurses and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, AACN signed onto a related letter led by the American Council on Education.
• On September 17, AACN joined NINR in celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a scientific symposium on Advancing Nursing Science to Improve Health for All: NINR’s Impact.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommended that vaccination for COVID-19 be determined by individual decision-making and adopted new recommendations for the varicella (chickenpox) vaccination for young children.

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