Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.press release, January 23, 2002

НЕЙ 'S from Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suit* 304 Lulhorvillo, Morylond 2 1 073 315 Cannon Hovm Office Building Wathington, O.C 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Wednesday, January 23, 2002 202/225-3061 President Bush Joins Congressional Efforts to Address Nationwide Nursing Shortage WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) commended President Bush today for including in his FY 2003 budget request an increase in funding for the Nursing Education Loan Repayment program. The investment, which represents a 50% increase in funding from last year, will help address the nation's growing need for nursing professionals. The proposal must now be considered by Congress. The increase in the Nurse Education Loan Repayment program will support 800 new nursing education loan agreements. The program repays the education loans of clinical care nurses who agree to work for two years in designated public or nonprofit health facilities that face a critical shortage of nurses. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “President Bush’s proposal comes at a critical time for the nursing profession and for the nation’s health care system. As the shortage in qualified nurses worsens, this initiative will help attract top students into this invaluable field.” Congressman Ehrlich was also a strong supporter of the Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2001, which passed the House of Representatives in December. This legislation, which establishes scholarships for students in the nursing profession and invests in Public Services Announcements regarding the nursing shortage, now awaits consideration in the Senate. m c