Proposed Senate Appropriations Bill Would Provide Flat Funding for the National Health Service Corps
On August 1, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS), and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, S. 4942, in a 25-3 vote. According to the Senate Appropriations LHHS Committee report, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) will receive $128.6 million, which represents flat funding when compared to the previous year. In contrast, on July 10, the House Appropriations Committee report proposed that the NHSC receive $130 million, for FY25 which is $1.4 million above the FY24 enacted level. ACU is grateful for the slight increase in funding on the House side; however, the Senate must also support increased discretionary funding for the NHSC as well. Join us an advocate to stay informed on what you can do to support the Corps and other initiatives.
Take Action for the NHSC: Set Up a Meeting With Your Member of Congress!
With Congress still in recess, there’s still time for you to take advantage of the fact that Members of Congress are home until the election. Invite politicians and candidates of each party to tour your facilities so they understand how valuable your services are to the community. Continue to reach out after the election to ensure Congress, especially first-time or “freshman” members for the 119th Congress understand the importance of the NHSC, teaching health centers, and the Nurse Corps.
It’s important to note that for health centers to maintain their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as nonprofits, these organizations are prohibited from participating in political campaign activities that support or oppose any candidate for elective public office. However, this doesn’t prevent health centers from engaging in nonpartisan political activities such as voter registration drives, candidate debates, and voter education. Browse our resources to help you empower your patients for civic engagement.
To be an effective advocate and attain your goals you MUST:
- Make advocacy an ongoing commitment and priority:
- Create an Advocacy Committee with a Chair – Board and staff need to be included.
- It is essential for the Board to make a formal commitment to advocacy via time and resources.
- Translate discussions, plans, and passions into moveable actions.
- Make your voice and perspective heard and understood.
- Advocacy needs to be done face to face: plan to get your local, state, and federal officials (and their staff) to your Center on a regular basis!
Jordan Marshall, Your ACU Advocacy Contact
Jordan Marshall is leading ACU’s grassroots advocacy to secure long-term funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Contact Jordan with any questions regarding policy analysis or if ACU can be of assistance with your own organizational or individual advocacy.
