S. 1482: National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025

The National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025 is legislation aimed at addressing challenges within the nursing workforce in the United States. Here’s a summary of its key provisions:

Establishment of Nursing Workforce Centers

The bill proposes the creation of a pilot program to set up or enhance existing State-based nursing workforce centers. These centers will focus on evaluating the impact of nursing workforce initiatives and the feasibility of public-private partnerships in the nursing sector. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee this program, which is expected to start within one year after the bill becomes law.

Grant Funding

The Secretary will provide grants to eligible entities—such as state agencies, boards of nursing, non-profit organizations, community organizations, and nursing schools—across the U.S. to establish these centers. The grants will require a matching contributions so that entities must provide at least $0.25 for every dollar of federal funding received.

Goals and Activities of Workforce Centers

The nursing workforce centers will be tasked with various activities to strengthen the nursing workforce, including:

• Conducting research on existing workforce data and identifying gaps.
• Assessing education programs for nursing, focusing on faculty availability, student retention, and graduation rates.
• Providing scholarships and financial assistance for nursing students.
• Analyzing reasons for nursing shortages and strategies to retain current nurses.
• Working with employers to enhance nursing workforce planning and education.

Reporting Requirements

The bill establishes reporting obligations for the Secretary. Annual reports detailing the activities of the nursing workforce centers, including data on demographics and services provided, will be submitted to Congress. These reports will also include evaluations of the effectiveness of partnerships and recommendations for improving nurse recruitment and retention.

Funding Allocations

For the implementation of this act, the Secretary may utilize up to $1.5 million from existing appropriations specifically through the Health Resources and Services Administration for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Analysis and Technical Assistance

Furthermore, the bill mandates the establishment of state and regional centers for health workforce analysis. These centers will analyze nursing workforce data, provide technical assistance, and develop strategies to address workforce shortages.

Emphasis on Equity

In distributing grants, the Secretary is required to ensure an equitable geographical distribution, giving priority to entities with a comprehensive understanding of state nursing workforce issues and those capable of providing statewide services.

Conclusion

The National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025 aims to enhance and stabilize the nursing workforce through research, targeted funding, and strategic planning involving various stakeholders in healthcare.

Relevant Companies

• HCA Healthcare (HCA): As a leading healthcare provider, HCA could be significantly impacted as the bill aims to stabilize and improve the workforce that supplies healthcare services.
• UnitedHealth Group (UNH): With a large network of nurses and healthcare professionals, UnitedHealth might need to adapt its staffing strategies in response to the initiatives outlined in the bill.
• Centene Corporation (CNC): Centene, being a major player in managed care, could also be affected by changes in the availability and recruitment of nursing staff driven by the efforts to enhance the nursing workforce.