Email from National Association of School Nurses Welcome to the second issue of Policy Pulse, NASN’s new monthly advocacy-focused newsletter. Each edition will keep you informed on the latest policy developments impacting school nursing, education, and student health. From legislative updates to calls for action, Policy Pulse is your go-to resource for staying engaged and empowered as a school nurse advocate. School Nurse Legislation Introduced on School Nurse Day Dina Titus (D-NV) and Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced the NURSE Act (Nurses for Under-Resourced School Everywhere Act), HR 3262, that would provide a grant program to fund school nurses based on Title I designation (20 percent enrolled in free and reduced lunch and breakfast) through the Department of Education. This important legislation would recognize the critical role of school nurses in providing students access to quality health care so that they are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. "We are thrilled that Representative Titus has reintroduced the Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act (NURSE Act) on School Nurse Day, a day that celebrates the contributions of school nurses to children and their academic success," said Kate King, President of the National Association of School Nurses. "It is important that children have their physical and behavioral healthcare needs met at school, particularly in case of an emergency. Every school should have a school nurse on staff every day. Passage of the NURSE Act is the first step to achieving student health equity." Health and Human Services Restructuring In late April, the Trump Administration moved forward with its Executive Order to dramatically restructure the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), resulting in a massive downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees. In addition, it will streamline the functions of the Department by consolidating the 28 divisions of the HHS into 15 new divisions, including a new “Administration for a Healthy America” (AHA). Creation of the AHA will house multiple agencies, including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and others, into one new entity. Secretary Kennedy claims AHA will allow for better coordination and integration of health resources for low-income Americans, focusing on primary care, maternal and child health, mental health, environmental health, HIV/AIDS, and workforce development. NASN Resources After the announcement of the HHS reorganization, NASN announced its deep concern about the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) regarding the significant staff reductions. NINR's core mission is nursing research and health advancements for patient care. NINR has always been committed to the unique role that nurses play in health, healing, and the care of their patients. "These developments come at a pivotal time in school health and threaten to derail critical momentum in nursing science that supports the health and academic success of our nation's students," said NASN's statement. Read NASN's Statement   The Trump Administration's "Skinny Budget" President Trump sent his proposed "Skinny Budget" to Congress on May 2, which contained $163 billion in cuts across most government agencies, with profound reductions targeting the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The budget proposes a $12 billion cut to the Department of Education, which could significantly affect special education funding and investment in public schools. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services faces a steep 26% cut, threatening funding for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public health initiatives. The "Skinny Budget" offers a keen look into President Trump's view on how he would dramatically transform the federal government. However, Congress still must pass these steep spending cuts. NASN Resources NASN issued a statement strongly opposing the drastic funding reductions proposed in President Trump’s FY2025 “Skinny Budget” for both the ED and HHS. These proposed cuts pose an immediate and severe threat to the health, safety, and educational success of our nation’s children, especially the most vulnerable. Read NASN's Statement   With over 40% of school-aged children managing chronic or mental health conditions, school nurses play a critical role in improving attendance, reducing health disparities, and supporting student success. School nurses are part of the solution to having safer, healthier schools – yet one-third of public schools nationwide don’t have a full-time RN. Learn more about NASN's Legislative Priorities.   Take Action on Medicaid NASN just introduced the new Action Center, a powerful tool for school nurses to directly contact members of Congress at both the state and federal levels. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and share how proposed polices impact students and school health. Join with NASN as we are actively advocating on key issues such as Medicaid in Schools. As a school nurse, you understand better than anyone how vital Medicaid is to ensuring students receive the care they need to thrive—physically, mentally, and academically. But right now, Congress is considering significant cuts to Medicaid, and the implications for school health services are dire. School-Based Medicaid is the fourth-largest source of federal funding for K-12 schools, helping districts provide essential services to Medicaid-enrolled students and the broader school population. These funds support the critical work of school nurses and other Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP)—and help ensure students have access to care where they need it most: in school. Without these funds, schools could face staff reductions, limited health services, and increased obstacles to student success—especially for our most vulnerable children. Your voice matters – by taking action, you ensure that children are safe, healthy, and ready to learn. School nurses are vital to shaping health policy. Contact Your Representatives NASN Resources NASN is actively collecting more stories about how Medicaid affects students or how Medicaid cuts would affect your school and/or district. Submit Your Story   New Mexico Legislative Win The School Nurse Salary Tiers and Minimums House Bill 195 (HB0195) was signed into law on April 10, 2025, marking a pivotal achievement for the New Mexico School Nurses Association (NMSNA). The legislation establishes a statewide salary structure for school nurses, aligning their pay with educators and providing annual stipends for nationally certified nurses. For years, NMSNA has advocated placing a licensed nurse in every school. In 2024, NMSNA shifted its focus to core changes, beginning with pay parity, to strengthen recognition and support for school nurses. Their statewide survey highlighted major pay disparities, particularly in rural districts. Larger districts had already adopted tiered structures and stipends for National Certified School Nurses (NCSNs). NMSNA emphasized that school nurses have a similar licensure structure in place through the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). HB0195 introduced a three-tiered pay system for school nurses based on experience, education, competency, and certification. Annual stipends for NCSNs are included. This mirrors New Mexico teacher compensation and is made possible by New Mexico's equalized education funding formula. While some states use highly variable local property taxes to fund their schools, New Mexico school funding relies on evenly distributing the state's revenues. (NMLEGIS, 2023) Following committee hearings, expert testimony from the NMSNA Legislative Chair, and bipartisan support, HB0195 passed unanimously in both the House (65-0) and Senate (35-0). Key to this was NMSNA's grassroots campaign, which mobilized school nurses statewide to advocate for the bill through scripted emails and phone calls urging representative, senator, and gubernatorial support. This legislative victory addresses longstanding pay inequities for school nurses and supports recruitment, retention, and recognition of school nurses across New Mexico. State-by-State Legislation COLORADO CO SB 25-278 - For the purpose of encompassing the different ways that epinephrine may be administered to treat anaphylaxis in a school setting, the bill changes the term "epinephrine auto-injector" to "emergency-use epinephrine." Passed Second House FLORIDA FL HB 597 - Authorizes school district or public school to acquire & maintain supply of undesignated glucagon; requires that undesignated glucagon be stored in secure location that is immediately accessible. Passed into law MONTANA MT SB 474 / MT LC 1427 - The legislation mandates the acceptance of religious and personal medical exemptions for required immunizations in schools. Introduced  NEW HAMPSHIRE NH HB 208 / NH LSR 2025-0069 - This bill allows a superintendent and school board to nominate and appoint a school nurse, who must be licensed and registered with the board of nursing. Passed House TEXAS HB 508 - A legislative act that requires the presence of a nurse at every public school and open-enrollment charter school for at least half of each school day. Introduced Check Out a Full Legislative Tracking Chart View as Webpage Did you enjoy this email? National Association of School Nurses | 1100 Wayne Avenue Suite 925 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice