Reuters reports that Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell is calling on fellow Republicans to “repeatedly” vote on a straight repeal of President Obama’s healthcare bill – a move that could mean big changes for those currently or potentially seeking nursing degrees.
In an address to the Heritage Foundation, McConnell admitted that any Republican legislation would likely be vetoed by the President or blocked by Senate Democrats. However, that would not stop them from denying funds for implementation, and voting against the bill’s “most egregious provisions.”
According to MedHunters.com, in its current state, the healthcare bill allocates funding for nurse-managed clinics to cover the predicted increase in patients. To encourage entry into the nursing profession, the bill also increases funding for nursing education – including associate’s, bachelor’s and advanced nursing degrees.
Repealing and replacing the healthcare bill are among the GOP’s primary legislative goals, and Senate majority leader Harry Reid told Reuters he is open to “tweaks”.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent through 2018, and many openings are expected in the field due to an increase in workers’ median age.
