CLIVE, Iowa — Congressman Zach Nunn announced new bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing Iowa’s nursing shortage during a press conference on Monday morning.

The legislation, introduced at Clive Behavioral Health, seeks to create a grant program for nursing schools to expand access for prospective students.

“Let’s first of all look at the challenge, the demographic. Right now across the nation, we have 100,000 folks who want to get into the nursing program,” said Nunn.

Nunn highlighted the barriers that prospective nursing students face, noting that many are turned away early in the process due to limited classroom availability.

The bill successfully passed the U.S. House chamber last year, but Nunn is working to gain further support to move it through the Senate.

He mentioned having discussions with the President about the legislation, hoping to garner more backing for its passage.

The proposed legislation aims to alleviate the nursing shortage by increasing educational opportunities, potentially benefiting Iowa’s healthcare system in the long run.

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