A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is cited as the More Nurses in Rural Schools Act. It amends the Public Health Service Act to make certain nurses eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Specifically, it applies to nurses working in elementary or secondary schools located within a health professional shortage area. The bill allows these individuals to meet their service obligation by agreeing to serve as a school nurse for two years or longer. It also includes rules for part-time service, sets up annual certification requirements, and waives certain priorities and limitations. Finally, the bill mandates that not less than 5 percent of the funds made available for this section each fiscal year must be used for school nurse participation.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +4
Would children be better off under this?
Students in shortage areas gain better access to qualified nursing and health services in schools.
- Scored +4
Would students be better off under this?
Students receive improved access to health services and school nursing staff.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill specifically aims to place more nurses in schools within health professional shortage areas, disproportionately benefiting rural populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Loan Repayment Eligibility for School Nurses: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(1), nurses working in an elementary or secondary school within a health professional shortage area can become eligible to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. This is positive because it helps these nurses pay off their school loans in exchange for their service.
-
Guaranteed Funding Set-Aside: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(5), the bill requires that not less than 5 percent of the funds made available for the loan repayment program each fiscal year be used for school nurses. This is positive because it locks in dedicated financial support specifically for school nurses.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Service Time for Part-Time Workers: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(2)(A), if a school nurse agrees to serve on less than a full-year or less than a full-time basis, the Secretary must increase the required time period so the individual works the same number of hours as a full-time, full-year worker. This might be seen as a burden because part-time workers have to stretch out their total timeline to meet the hour requirements.
-
Annual Certification Requirement: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(2)(B), the Secretary must establish annual certification requirements to verify the number of hours worked by part-time or part-year individuals. This could be viewed as a negative administrative hurdle that individuals must complete.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — Students in shortage areas gain better access to qualified nursing and health services in schools. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill specifically aims to place more nurses in schools within health professional shortage areas, disproportionately benefiting rural populations. Would students be better off under this? — Students receive improved access to health services and school nursing staff. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Targeting health professional shortage areas helps provide vital health resources to lower-income communities and schools. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young professional nurses benefit from loan repayment opportunities for working in school settings.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation provides targeted healthcare staffing support specifically for schools in health professional shortage areas, which often include rural communities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — By expanding loan repayment eligibility, the bill helps place more nurses in schools located within health professional shortage areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill mandates a set-aside of at least 5 percent of funds for school nurse loan repayments, directing federal support to school healthcare staffing.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill encourages the employment of school nurses in underserved areas by providing loan repayment options.
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia