Affordable Care Act Includes Education Funding For Nurses

By Rose Scott

Atlanta, GA –

Tuesday,September 28th,First Lady Michelle Obama stressed the importance of nurses in health care reform.

Speaking to nurses and the media via teleconference, the first lady talked about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.

WABE's Rose Scott has more.

Mrs. Obama credited the role nurses played in the overall health care reform.

((from the very beginning it's been nurses who have sat at the table, sharing your ideas and your concerns and experiences and as a result all of you have helped to make this law even better))

The Affordable Care Act includes funding to support the nursing profession.

That includes a 31-million dollar grant for 26 schools of nursing and increased dollars for those in graduate programs.

Dr. Mary Wakefield heads the Health Resources and Services Administration.

In Georgia, there are more than 60-thousand practicing registered nurses.

Jermey Arieh is spokesperson for the Georgia Nurses Association.

The loan programs he says will help in attracting more to the nursing profession.

((increased access to student loans and loan forgiveness is a great opportunity for students))

Georgia is among the top ten states with a nursing shortage.