Dean Potempa Responds to President Obama’s 2012 Budget Seeking Funds for Nursing
Budget request looks to increase money for nurse education and research programs.
On February 14, President Obama released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Budget Request which included funding for nurse education and research programs. The Administration demonstrated their commitment to nursing by increasing the funding for the Nursing Workforce Development Programs and Nurse Managed Health Clinics in this difficult fiscal atmosphere. Additionally, the President’s request included a modest increase for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which will support NINR's mission to advance nursing science and translate innovations into improved patient care.
Dr. Kathleen Potempa, dean of the University of Michigan School of Nursing and president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) says, "[We appreciate] President Obama’s dedication to nursing education by providing an increased level of support in this challenging economic climate. Given the demands on our healthcare system for highly educated nursing professionals, the President’s budget reinforces the Administration’s commitment to helping support the next generation of registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse faculty, and researchers.”
The President explained, “Strengthening the primary care workforce is critical to reforming the Nation’s healthcare system. Increasing access to primary care health providers can help prevent disease and illness, ensure all Americans have access to high quality care, and reduce costs by decreasing the need for more invasive treatment that could have been prevented through early care. To increase access to this type of care, the Administration provides increased resources for primary care training and support for health care providers who choose to enter primary care in medically underserved areas. In total, the Budget includes investments that will help train more than 4,000 primary care providers estimated to enter the workforce over the next five years.”
Advance Practice Registered Nurses, including Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Midwives, play a critical role in providing essential, cost-effective primary care services across the nation.
Dean Potempa “urges Congress to remain steadfast in recognizing the value that quality nursing care provides American patients and their families. We will work with our colleagues in the nursing community to protect the funding for these critical programs.”
