91心頭

Policy Watch

Policy Watch

News by Topic

Education Policy Updates

  • On May 14, AACN joined with a broad coalition of higher education organizations in a statement calling upon the Trump Administration to protect and renew the longstanding partnership between the federal government and colleges and universities.
  • The Department of Education  for colleges and universities.
  • U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice Announce .
  • U.S. Department of Education and Loan Consolidation Applications for Borrowers.
  • AACN signed on  to a Request for Information for the Trump Administration's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan relating to the use of AI across the higher education landscape.
  • U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR)  following the February 14  that reiterated schools’ civil rights obligations to end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities. 
  • U.S. Department of Education Issues More Details About , including a .
  •  as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Research & Funding

  • The Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)  identifying key drivers behind the childhood chronic disease crisis.
  • On May 22, the House of Representatives passed the President's , sending it on to the Senate.
  • On May 14, AACN signed onto a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-ED) urging them to support at least $420.85 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Environmental Health in the FY 2026 LHHS-ED Appropriations bill.
  • On May 13, AACN signed onto a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies urging them to reject the elimination of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which was outlined in the Administration’s FY 2026 budget proposal.
  • On May 6, AACN published a response to the  message urging the Administration to protect funding for nursing education and workforce programs.
  • The National Science Foundation announced the implementation of .
  • On April 29, AACN signed onto letters from American Indian/Alaska Native Health Partners to the House and Senate supporting funding for the Indian Health Professions Account and Indian Health Service.
  • AACN released a statement of concern regarding the President's proposed budget for FY 2026 that includes across the board cuts to federal agencies, including HHS, NIH, HRSA, and the Department of Education.
  • Colleges with will no longer be eligible for NIH grants.
  • On April 25, AACN signed on to a coalition letter urging Congress to reject the proposed HHS budget cuts and ensure that essential programs are adequately funded.
  • On April 22, AACN joined with other higher education leaders to better serve the American people while rejecting undue government intrusion and the coercive use of public research funding.
  • From Insider Higher Ed: 
  • A federal judge issued an order  research funding from NIH.
  • 91心頭 Signs on to Legal Challenge to New NIH Funding Guidance
  • 91心頭 Statement on New NIH Guidance Limiting Indirect Costs for Research Grants

Student Loan & Financial Aid Changes

  • The Department of Education released a  of their obligations to help struggling borrowers.
  • Department of Education to , starting May 5.
  • The 2025 application cycle closes on Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm (ET).
  • The Small Business Administration, the agency newly responsible for overseeing student loans, .
  • HHS has published a  since January 2025, including information of recipient institutions, projects funded, and award totals.
  • An Executive Order creates  for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Legislative Developments

  • On May 15, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued a  halting the Department of Energy from "implementing, instituting, maintaining, or giving effect to the Rate Cap Policy in any form with respect to the IHEs (institutions of higher education)."
  • Members of both Congressional Nursing Caucuses  celebrating National Nurses Week.
  • On April 17, AACN joined with other nursing associations in urging Congress to support Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs.
  • Congress passed the , funding the government through the end of FY2025 and avoiding a government shutdown.
  • House Republicans released a proposed  through September 30.

Executive Changes

  • On May 12, the President  mandating that drug manufacturers begin offering American consumers the most-favored-nation lowest price on pharmaceuticals.
  • Secretary Kennedy defending the large-scale reduction in force at HHS.
  • Senate  to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • President Trump to  to be CDC Director.
  • Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the .

Workforce Support

  • Applications are  to become a National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved site.
  • The  is accepting applications through April 17. The program provides funds to Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses working in an eligible public or private critical shortage facility, or nurse faculty at an eligible school of nursing.
  • The application cycle is now open through April 24.