Senate Appropriations Committee Preserves Funding for Title VIII Nursing Programs and National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Spending Bill

Strategic Insights -

The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS-ED) spending bill, which preserves funding for Title VIII nursing programs and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) amidst cuts and eliminations proposed in the President's FY 2026 budget. The committee's decision is seen as a significant victory for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), which has been advocating for increased federal funding for these vital programs. The bill provides level funding for most Title VIII programs, with the exception of a proposed $2 million reduction for the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate Appropriations Committee preserved funding for Title VIII nursing programs in the FY 2026 LHHS-ED spending bill, providing $303.472 million for the programs, including level funding for most programs, except for a proposed $2 million reduction for the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program.
  • The bill preserves funding for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which will receive $197.693 million, representing level funding compared to the prior two fiscal years.
  • The Senate legislation recognizes the pressing need to address the increasing demand for nurses, acknowledging the severe nursing shortage facing the country and the challenges it poses to the healthcare system's ability to meet increasing demand.
  • The Committee included language in the bill emphasizing the need to address workplace violence in the healthcare and social services sector and allocated $5 million in funding to increase the supply of registered nurses as part of the Strengthening HBCUs Program.
  • AACN appreciates the Committee's recognition of the crucial role that Title VIII programs play in addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention, as well as the foundational importance of NINR for establishing the scientific basis for high-quality nursing care.

Statistics:

  • $303.472 million: The amount of funding preserved for Title VIII nursing programs in the FY 2026 LHHS-ED spending bill.
  • $197.693 million: The amount of funding preserved for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in the FY 2026 LHHS-ED spending bill, representing level funding compared to the prior two fiscal years.
  • $2 million: The proposed reduction in funding for the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program.
  • 26-3: The vote by which the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its FY 2026 LHHS-ED spending bill.
  • 0.66%: The decrease in funding for Title VIII compared to previously enacted levels in FY 2024 and FY 2025.
  • $5 million: The amount of funding allocated to increase the supply of registered nurses as part of the Strengthening HBCUs Program.

Sources:

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
  • WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- American Association of Colleges of Nursing issued the following news release: