By Madeline Kaufman on May 26, 2026
Category: Health Policy & Advocacy

ARN Health Policy Digest – June 2026

We are pleased to present the June issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

Introduction of Nursing as a Professional Degree Act

​In the beginning of May, Representative Kiggans (R-VA) introduced the Nursing as a Professional Degree (H.R. 8659) with support from Senator Merkley (D-OR). This bill is in response to the Department of Education's RISE committee's final rule that excludes nursing from the definition of a professional degree, and therefore excluding nurses who are seeking a post-baccalaureate nursing degree from access to higher federal loan options. The new RISE rule allows people seeking a "professional degree" to borrow $50,000 annually with a cap of $200,000, where non-professional degrees have a borrowing limit of $20,500 annually with an overall cap of $100,000. This rule would take effect on July 1 of this year.

In response to this ruling Rep. Kiggans and Sen. Merkley worked together to create a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would change the definition of professional student in the Higher Education Act to include nursing, among other degrees. Representative Kiggans was a nurse prior to her time in Congress and wants to work to address the nursing workforce shortage and increase access to care. Senator Merkley plans to introduce the same bill in the Senate in the upcoming weeks. 

ARN Hosts Special Nursing Advocacy Institute in Conjunction with AANN

On the week of May 18, ARN and AANN hosted a Special Nursing Advocacy Institute for members to learn about advocacy, what nursing issues are important in the current health policy climate. Attendees heard from a Congressional Staff Panel led by staffers from Sen. Merkley (D-OR), and Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI), who discussed Congressional nursing priorities. Next, attendees got to listen to professional nurse advocates speak about current issues the community is advocating for. ARN was fortunate to have a speaker from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) share information on the Title VIII nursing workforce development programs and other resources and data the agency provides for nurses. Attendees also got to hear from a panel of ARN nurses. On the second day of this institute attendees learned about Congress and advocacy with a focus on preparation for ARN's upcoming Hill day. Lastly, participants heard from the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association to discuss legislative and regulatory issues specifically tied to rehabilitation. ARN thanks AANN for partnering with us and all the speakers and participants.

ARN Launches FY 2027 Funding Request Action Alert

Check out ARN's Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Funding Request action alert to send a message to your members of Congress urging them to support ARN's FY 2027 funding asks. ARN's 2027 funding asks are as follows:


ARN encourages you to fill out this action alert to help secure critical funding for rehabilitation and nursing research and nursing workforce development programs that are crucial for the health of the nursing workforce, and overall, increasing patient care.

Notice of Funding Opportunities

Below is a list of other funding opportunities for interested ARN members.