US Sen. Todd Young Introduces Bill To Boost Nursing Program

Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.)
*WFIU-WTIU*

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Todd Young is co-sponsoring legislation that would expand a federal program which rewards nurses who work in underserved areas.

The Indiana Republican and Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama introduced legislation Thursday that would allow for-profit medical providers to participate in the program.

The Journal Gazette reports the program is currently limited to public and nonprofit providers. It pays 60% of unpaid nursing education debt for registered nurses and advanced registered nurses who work two years at medical facilities suffering critical shortages of nurses.

Young and Jones say the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 1.1 million nurses are needed nationwide as baby boomers age into retirement.

Young says nursing shortages are already being felt in underserved rural and urban areas that are "in dire need of caregivers."

Tags:Todd Young nurses

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

Both Democratic U.S. Senate candidates cite abortion rights as major impetus for their campaigns

Both of Indiana's Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate said they're running to help restore abortion rights.

Public Affairs / April 12, 2024

Here's what Indiana's Republican gubernatorial candidates have to say about cannabis

Indiana is an island when it comes to legal cannabis, as all of its bordering states have taken steps to legalize the drug in some way, whether for recreational or medical use.

Public Affairs / April 11, 2024

Here's what Indiana's Republican gubernatorial candidates have to say about abortion

Indiana was the first state to pass new abortion restrictions in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning 50 years of constitutional protections for abortion access in 2022.