Advocacy Updates

Last updated on Jan. 15, 2026

Each quarter, members will receive updates on AMSN’s advocacy efforts, policy issues relevant to medical-surgical nurses, and opportunities to engage in advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Advocacy is essential to advancing the medical-surgical nursing profession and ensuring high-quality patient care.

General Updates

I am thrilled to lead an exceptional team of AMSN nurses who are deeply committed to elevating member knowledge and competency in professional and legislative advocacy. Our collective passion and expertise give us power. By using our voices on behalf of our patients and nursing colleagues, we can make a meaningful impact locally and nationwide.

Medical-surgical nurses care for patients across the lifespan, and a substantial portion of our patients are age 65 and older. As of 2026, there are an estimated 60 million adults over age 65 in the United States. That number is expected to grow to approximately 65–70 million by 2031 and 75–80 million by 2036. AMSN and its members must help ensure there are enough skilled and competent nurses at the bedside to meet this growing demand.

Advocacy is often about knowing which “buttons” to push to ensure decision-makers listen and understand. Consider what information, experiences, or data you can share to help your message be heard, respected, and acted upon.

Mike Urton, DNP, APRN, AGCNS
Chair, Advocacy & Legislative Committee

New AMSN Advocacy & Legislative Committee Members

As we begin 2026, we are excited to welcome new members to the AMSN Advocacy & Legislative Committee. These individuals recognize the critical role advocacy and legislative competency play in strengthening the nursing profession.

  • Safo Adu-Gyamfi, Virginia

  • Jenna Davis, North Carolina

  • Karen Fotino, Massachusetts

  • Kourtnay Gomez, Arizona

  • Sarah Varney, Ohio

  • Rosemarie Wright, New Jersey

Departing Advocacy & Legislative Committee Members

As we welcome new committee members, we also extend our heartfelt thanks to the nurses who have been instrumental in advancing AMSN’s advocacy and legislative work over the past several years. Their dedication and passion have helped shape our efforts and impact.

  • Trish West, North Carolina — Seven years of service; now serving as a Med-Surg Moments Podcast co-host

  • Charla Johnson, Louisiana

  • Monica van der Zee, Kansas

We are grateful for their continued commitment to AMSN as they transition to new volunteer roles.

Key Legislative Topics: First Quarter 2026

While many federal bills impact healthcare, the following issues are especially important for medical-surgical nurses to monitor:

Proposed Budget Cuts to Title VIII Funding

Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs provide approximately $300 million annually to support nursing education and workforce development. Significant differences exist between House and Senate appropriations bills, with the Senate proposing to maintain most Title VIII funding. Reductions would negatively affect ADN and BSN enrollment, nursing faculty capacity, and APRN education nationwide.

ACA Subsidy Extension

Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies have expanded healthcare coverage for millions of Americans. Eliminating these subsidies could result in widespread loss of coverage, increased uncompensated care, and financial strain on hospitals and clinics. Rural hospitals, and the nurses who work in them, could be particularly affected.

PRECEPT Nurses Act

Introduced in 2025 with bipartisan support, the PRECEPT Nurses Act (H.R. 392/S. 131) would provide a $2,000 tax credit to nurses who serve at least 200 hours as clinical preceptors for prelicensure or APRN students in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Despite strong bipartisan support, competing congressional priorities may delay or prevent passage.

Member Education

Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs

Title VIII programs support nursing education, practice, recruitment, and retention to meet the nation’s healthcare needs. These programs are vital to strengthening the nursing workforce and include:

  • Advanced nursing education programs for APRNs, educators, and administrators

  • Recruitment and retention initiatives for nurses from diverse communities

  • Loan repayment and scholarship programs for prelicensure nursing students, particularly those serving underserved areas

  • Loan programs for nurses pursuing faculty roles

  • Funding for nursing schools, healthcare facilities, and local and state governments to address evolving healthcare demands

Despite well-documented nursing workforce shortages, proposed federal budgets could reduce Title VIII funding by as much as 70 percent. Such reductions would eliminate or severely limit critical programs and impact the nursing workforce in every state.

Do you know where your state and federal legislators stand on nursing workforce funding? Consider emailing, calling, or scheduling an in-person meeting to share your perspective.

House and Senate Nursing Caucuses

A caucus is a group of legislators who share common interests and work together to influence policy. The bipartisan House Nursing Caucus and Senate Nursing Caucus include lawmakers who support nursing practice and recognize nurses’ essential role in healthcare outcomes.

Membership changes periodically, but current lists are available on the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) Resources page. If your legislator is a caucus member, consider reaching out to thank them. If not, this may be a valuable topic to raise in future conversations.

Endorsements

Letters Signed and Bills Endorsed by AMSN in 2025

  • Aug. 19, 2025: Letter urging Congress to act on key appropriations and legislative priorities impacting nursing education, workforce development, and research

  • Aug. 25, 2025: Comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Education regarding implementation of H.R. 1, requesting postbaccalaureate nursing programs be classified as professional degree programs

  • Sept. 4, 2025: Participation in a congressional briefing on supporting nursing education, workforce, and research

  • Oct. 31, 2025: Signed NCC letter to the Department of Education on implementation of H.R. 1

  • Nov. 14, 2025: Signed NCC letter reiterating FY 2026 appropriations requests to congressional leadership and appropriators

Calls to Action

We want to hear from our local chapters. What state-level legislative issues are most important in your area? Are there advocacy efforts where the AMSN Advocacy & Legislative Committee can provide support?

Email Mike Urton so we can highlight your updates in future newsletters and advocacy communications.