“Healthcare is changing for the future, who’s going to be there?” Congresswoman Lois Capps, 2016, Washington DC.
The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections for 2012-2020 data suggests that there will be a need for over 1 million nurses by 2020. Factors that influence the demand for an increased nursing workforce include increased access to health care via the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the growing amount of nontraditional care settings, and the fact that Americans continue to grow older and live longer.
Despite the identified need to foster a larger nursing workforce, lack of financial resources represents a concerning obstacle towards supporting this growing demand. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (HR 2713) calls to reauthorize the largest source of federal financial support for nursing education. Co-authored by Lois Capps and David Joyce, this bipartisan piece of legislature encourages an investment in the future of health care through supporting nursing education and nursing workforce diversity.
Senior Fellow Kristi Westphaln interviews Congresswoman Lois Capps, representative from California’s 24th district and a registered nurse. Capps discusses the intersection between nursing and the health of the public, treating chronic pain and current health legislation she supports.
A long time hero to the nursing community, Congresswoman Capps is a strong advocate for issues that support the public’s health. She has brought CPR education into schools and increased community-wide availability of AEDs, portable electronic defibrillators that can be used by laypeople.
Carol Green NP, Congresswoman Capps, Kristi Westphaln PNP
Tune in to HealthCetera Thursday, June 9th at 1 PM on WBAI 99.5 FM & streamed live on wbai.org
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