This bill directs the federal government to establish and expand the public health nursing workforce by creating a grant program for state, local, and territorial public health departments. The funds can be used to hire, train, and employ registered nurses in public health roles—particularly in medically underserved and rural areas—as well as to purchase medical supplies and cover administrative costs. Grants will prioritize areas with high rates of chronic disease, maternal mortality, infant mortality, and populations in health professional shortage areas, with preference given to applicants that demonstrate culturally appropriate service delivery and respect labor rights. The bill requires recipients to maintain their existing funding levels for public health nursing activities and authorizes $5 billion annually from 2026 through 2035 to support these efforts.
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