MedPAC Seeking Nominations: The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent, nonpartisan agency that advises Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program, is calling for nominations to serve on the Commission. AACN is proud to lead the Ad Hoc Nomination Consortium to ensure the nursing voice is included on federal task forces, committees, and councils, including MedPAC. We want to continue this effort and need your help! If you know a nurse who has expertise on issues affecting the Medicare program, click here before Wednesday, January 28, to submit their name for consideration.

Update on Nursing is a Professional Degree: The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from the Department of Education on the definition of "professional degree" programs is now with the Office of Management and Budget, which is the next step in the process before it is released to the public for comment. As we await the NPRM and prepare for robust stakeholder input, we encourage you to click here to sign up for AACN Action Alerts so you receive the latest information in real time. Visit AACN’s Nursing IS a Professional Degree landing page for the latest news and developments.

Focus on Fiscal Year 2026: To date, Congress has passed the Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Veterans Affairs funding package. All other federal departments and agencies are currently funded under a continuing resolution (CR) that expires on January 30. On January 8, the House of Representatives passed a conferenced minibus package (H.R. 6938) for Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment appropriations. Of note, this package funds the Indian Health Service (IHS) at $8.05 billion, including funding for IHS staffing at newly opened health facilities. This minibus is now with the Senate for consideration. Funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, which administers key nursing programs, is expected to be included in one of the final funding packages considered by Congress.

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