Bill · S. 3435· Senate(119-S-3435)
FAAN Act
- Introduced
- 12/11/2025
- Last activity
- 12/11/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 12 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act" (FAAN Act) seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act. The bill authorizes grants to assist schools of nursing in various ways. These funds can be used to increase the number of nursing students and faculty to address workforce shortages. Additionally, the grants support program enhancement and the modernization of infrastructure. The bill also aims to expand the capacity of schools to respond to public health emergencies and pandemics. Finally, it authorizes up to $1,000,000,000 for these purposes.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak?+7
The bill specifically authorizes funds to expand school capacity to respond to pandemics and public health emergencies.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The bill gives priority to schools located in or preparing students for practice in rural areas.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
By increasing the nursing workforce and supporting schools in underserved areas, the bill improves general healthcare access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Addressing workforce shortages: The Secretary may award grants to increase the number of faculty and students to help solve nursing workforce shortages (Section 2, SEC. 832(a)(1)).
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Emergency preparedness: Grants can expand the capacity of schools to help the United States respond to pandemics and declared public health emergencies (Section 2, SEC. 832(a)(2)).
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Support for disadvantaged students: Funds can be used to enhance enrollment and retention for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from low-income families, first-generation college students, and underrepresented racial or ethnic groups (Section 2, SEC. 832(d)(1)).
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Support for rural and underserved areas: Priority is given to schools in medically underserved areas, health professional shortage areas, and rural areas (Section 2, SEC. 832(b)).
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Educational and infrastructure improvements: Schools can use funds to modernize infrastructure with equipment like telehealth technologies and simulation resources, or to create and modernize educational programs (Section 2, SEC. 832(d)(4)-(5)).
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Faculty diversity: The bill encourages the retention and hiring of faculty, with an emphasis on groups underrepresented in the nursing workforce (Section 2, SEC. 832(d)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reporting burdens for schools: Schools of nursing that receive a grant are required to submit an annual report to the Secretary regarding their activities and information (Section 2, SEC. 832(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For African Americans+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness+7Improves Healthcare Access+6
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4Improves College Affordability+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont