Policy Watch

Given rapid developments in the legislative, policy, and regulatory environments, AACN is providing weekly updates on key actions taken by Congress and the Administration. To quickly find relevant updates, use the dropdown menus to search by topic or date.

News by Topic

On June 29, the Department of Education released the Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule, which establishes a new accountability framework that measures whether college programs lead to stronger earnings after graduation.
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.

On May 26, AACN responded to the National Institutes of Health’s request for information for its Strategic Plan (FY 2027-2031), advocating for expanded investment in nurse-led research and for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Based on AACN member feedback, these comments emphasized the role of nursing science in improving patient outcomes, supporting preventative interventions, and leveraging emerging technologies.
On May 21, AACN submitted written testimony to the Senate LHHS-ED Appropriations Subcommittee requesting at least $610 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and $215 million for NINR for FY 2027. AACN also signed onto similar testimony from the Nursing Community Coalition.
On April 16, AACN submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) requesting at least $610 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and at least $215 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research for Fiscal Year 2027. AACN also signed onto Nursing Community Coalition written testimony to the House LHHS-ED Subcommittee making the same request.
On April 3, the President released his FY 2027 budget proposal, which called for the elimination of most Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and a reduction in funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research. See AACN’s press release and appropriations chart.
On March 23, AACN signed onto a Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) letter thanking Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) for introducing the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.3435/ H.R.6607), which would invest $1 billion into accredited schools and help ensure the next generation of nursing leaders are available to meet healthcare demand.
On March 17, AACN signed onto a Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) letter thanking Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) for introducing the bipartisan Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act (S.3707/H.R.7279), which would provide much needed grant funding to help recruit and retain nursing faculty and clinical preceptors.
On March 10, AACN attended Research!America’s 2026 Advocacy Awards, which highlighted the importance of fostering public trust in science through advocacy and communication, as well as the crucial need for further investment in health research. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) received the Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, and Mary Woolley, outgoing President and CEO of Research!America, received the John Edward Porter Legacy Award. See photos below.
On March 3, AACN was one of 552 organizations that signed onto an Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research statement recommending at least $51.303 billion for the National Institutes of Health in Fiscal Year 2027.

On July 1, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a ruling that struck down a final rule from the Department of Education that would allow the Department to exclude certain employers from participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this decision, click here.
On May 20, AACN signed onto comments from the American Council on Education in response to the Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled, "Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System and Earnings Accountability."
Act Now! Congressional nursing champions have introduced the bipartisan Nursing is a Professional Degree Act (S.4568/H.R.8691) in response to the Department of Education’s recent rule reducing federal loan amounts for post-baccalaureate nursing students. Click here to urge your Representative and Senators to cosponsor and pass this critical bill.
On May 19, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown co-led a coalition of 24 attorneys general and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in filing a joint lawsuit against the Department of Education over the recent rule imposing new loan limits on post-baccalaureate education. The coalition asserts that this rule could reduce revenue for public institutions of higher education, create barriers for students pursuing advanced training, worsen healthcare workforce shortages, and limit protections for students currently enrolled in affected programs. Click here to view the full press release.
On April 8, AACN signed onto an American Council on Education (ACE) letter expressing concerns with the Department of Education’s proposed rule that would change how Pell Grant funding is calculated for students.
On March 2, AACN submitted comments to the Department of Education in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, strongly urging the Department to explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing programs (MSN, DNP, PhD) in its definition of “professional degree” programs as it implements the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
On March 2, AACN submitted comments to the Department of Education in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking strongly requesting that the Department explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing programs in its definition of “professional degree” programs as it implements the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
On January 30, the Department of Education (ED) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3A) student loan limits for post-baccalaureate degrees. As expected, nursing programs are not designated as "professional degree" programs under the proposal. As a result, students in MSN, DNP, and PhD nursing programs would face significantly lower student loan borrowing limits ($20,500 annually/$100,000 aggregate).

On June 24, the Senate voted not to advance S.J.Res.196, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution led by Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) that would have overturned the U.S. Department of Education's RISE Committee final rule. During floor debate, Sen. Merkley highlighted AACN data as he supported nursing as a professional degree (see remarks in Senate Session, Part 2 beginning at 06:22:20). Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also spoke on the issue. Read Sen. Merkley’s press release here.
On June 24, the Senate voted not to advance S.J.Res.196, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution led by Senate Nursing Caucus Co-Chair Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) that would have overturned the U.S. Department of Education's RISE Committee final rule. During floor debate, Sen. Merkley highlighted AACN data as he supported nursing as a professional degree (see remarks in Senate Session, Part 2 beginning at 06:22:20). Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also spoke on the issue. Read Sen. Merkley’s press release here.
On June 17, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced several amendments during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee markup, including two proposals aimed at expanding nursing school faculty and repealing the Department of Education’s final rule related to federal student loan cuts. Although both of these amendments were tabled, and are not moving forward at this time, AACN is encouraged to see continued congressional attention to addressing the nursing faculty shortage and reducing barriers to nursing education. Click here to watch the hearing.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with other members of Congress, introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.189/S.J.Res196) to repeal the Department of Education’s final rule on federal student loan limits. Click here to view the full press release.
On May 7, Congressional Nursing Caucus Leadership announced their bipartisan, bicameral resolution (H.Res.1264 and S.Res.709) honoring National Nurses Week. Click here for the press release.
Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with House Nursing Caucus Leadership, Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act (S.3707/H.R.7279). This legislation would help address the pay gap between clinical and faculty positions. AACN applauds this legislation as an innovative approach to supporting nursing schools and the recruitment and retention of faculty.
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.
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.