For Immediate Release                                                 Contact:  Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
July 23, 2002

Napolitano Addresses the Nursing Shortage

Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) enthusiastically joined her colleagues in the House and Senate yesterday to pass the Nurse Reinvestment Act—a bill which will help address the critical nursing shortage in California and nationwide.  This important legislation will now be sent to the President for his signature.

“Fewer people are entering the nursing profession, and current nurses are leaving the profession in alarmingly high numbers.  Within five years, California will face a shortage of 25,000 nurses.  The current nurse shortage is affecting the quality of patient care, causing nurses and other health care professionals to work an unsafe number of hours.  Congressional action to bring resources and solutions to this problem is urgently needed,” stated Napolitano.

The Nurse Reinvestment Act encourages more people to enter the nursing profession by providing scholarships and loan repayment programs.  Funds would be directed toward applicants willing to serve in areas with the greatest need.  California has been particularly hard hit by the nursing shortage, and currently ranks 49^th of all the states in nurse to patient ratio.

“We cannot continue importing limited-English speaking nurses from other countries.  There are many people in our community who, with some training, can fill these good jobs, and we need to make the commitment to providing them with the opportunity to serve in our health care system,” commented Napolitano.

In addition to supporting the Nurse Reinvestment Act, Congresswoman Napolitano has been particularly active in working to address the nursing shortage in the 34^th district.  “I have worked with Beverly Hospital and the East LA Skills Center to train over 70 women to become certified nurse assistants (CNA's).  Most of these women were welfare recipients who have all passed the state licensing exam, and most are now working in our hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.  Providing this entry-level training is an excellent way to begin to address the shortage.  With the funds from the Nurse Reinvestment Act, many of these women will have the chance to return to school and advance in the nursing profession,” stated Napolitano.

“I have begun discussions with Secretary Tommy Thompson’s office at the Department of Health and Human Services to secure funds to expand our CNA training program.  Our program has been extremely successful so far, not only in addressing the nursing shortage, but also in providing jobs with a future to people in our community,” continued the Congresswoman.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
1609 Longworth Building          Washington, DC 20515          Phone 202-225-5256          Fax 202-225-0027		11627 East Telegraph Road, #100       Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670       Phone 562-801-2134       Fax 562-949-9144
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