III 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 500 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the ‘‘International Year of the Nurse 

and the Midwife’’, as designated by the World Health Organization. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 13, 2020 

Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. WICKER, Mr. JONES, and Mr. WYDEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the ‘‘International Year 

of the Nurse and the Midwife’’, as designated by the 

World Health Organization. 

Whereas the World Health Organization has designated 2020 

as the ‘‘International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’’; 

Whereas 2020— 

(1) marks the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing; and 

(2) is an appropriate time to reflect on the highquality health care that nurses and midwives provide in 

all settings across the United States; 


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Whereas, with approximately 4,000,000 registered nurses in 

the United States and 20,700,000 registered nurses 

worldwide, nurses and midwives— 

(1) represent nearly 50 percent of the global health 

workforce; and 

(2) comprise the largest component of the health 

care workforce in many countries; 

Whereas investing in nurses and midwives provides great 

value to communities; 

Whereas a report of the High-Level Commission on Health 

Employment and Economic Growth of the United Nations concluded that ‘‘investments in education and job 

creation in the health and social sectors result in a triple 

return of improved health outcomes, global health security, and inclusive economic growth’’; 

Whereas nurses and midwives have contributed to major 

achievements in global health, including— 

(1) the eradication of smallpox; and 

(2) reductions in maternal and child mortality; 

Whereas nurses and midwives are known to be patient advocates, acting to protect the lives of the individuals under 

their care; 

Whereas nurses and midwives, in caring for patients and 

their families in all stages of life, serve as vital members 

of the health care workforce who improve patient outcomes and safety; 

Whereas better integration of nurses and midwives into 

health care systems is reducing primary and maternity 

care provider shortages and improving maternal health 

outcomes; 


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Whereas nurses promote healthy lifestyles and educate communities on disease prevention and health promotion; 

Whereas nurses and midwives are well-positioned to address 

and reduce health care disparities that exist in the 

United States, including with respect to maternal health; 

Whereas many nurses are experienced researchers, and the 

work of nurses encompasses a wide scope of scientific inquiry relating to clinical science, health systems and outcomes, and nursing education; 

Whereas nurses provide care that is sensitive to the cultures 

and customs of individuals across the United States; and 

Whereas many nurses can inform and work closely with legislators to improve the— 

(1) recruitment, education, practice, and retention of 

nurses; and 

(2) health and safety of the patients for whom 

nurses care in all communities, including rural and underserved communities: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of the ‘‘Inter3 national Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’’, as 

4 designated by the World Health Organization; 

5 (2) recognizes the significant contributions of 

6 nurses and midwives to the health care system in the 

7 United States; and 

8 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

9 to observe the International Year of the Nurse and 

10 the Midwife with appropriate recognition, cereVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:20 Feb 13, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR500.IS SR500

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1 monies, activities, and programs to demonstrate the 

2 importance of nurses and midwives to patients. 

Æ 


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