SUNA joins the Nursing Community in reiterating its steadfast support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration's Proposed Rule (Federal Register Document 2016-12338, RIN 2900-AP44) published on May 25, 2016. The Nursing Community believes the Department has taken the necessary next step toward improving Veterans’ access to safe, high-quality care by publishing this proposed rule and urges the VHA to move forward with its full implementation.

> Download the letter from SUNA and the Nursing Community

The Senate Full Committee on Appropriations approved their FY 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill with a 29-1 vote. The funding chart below outlines the specific program breakdown. The bill recommends $229.472 million for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development programs (level funding from FY 2016). The bill also provides $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health and $151.965 million for the National Institutes of Nursing Research (a $5.48 mil increase over FY 2016).

> Download the Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations Chart