Thirty-three nurse managed centers are currently supported by Title VIII funds. Additionally, six cooperative agreements designed to facilitate and expedite baccalaureate education for registered nurses in rural areas using distance learning methodologies were awarded in September 1999. This program provides for up to 85 percent repayment of student loans for nurses who agree to a service payback in nursing shortage areas. Title VII of the Public Health Service Act In reference to the FY 2001 Title VII funding proposed by the Administration, ANA does not support the Administration's proposed elimination of the primary care and dentistry, geriatric, and public health training programs at a time when continued shortages of primary care providers still exist in certain parts of the country. Again we applaud this Subcommittee's commitment to advancing behavioral science research.
Nursing research is an integral part of the effectiveness of nursing care.
The NINR provides the knowledge base for practice of 2.6 million registered nurses. Advances in nursing care arising from nursing and other biomedical research improves the quality of patient care and has shown excellent progress in reducing health care costs and health care demands. Research programs supported by the NINR address a number of critical public health and patient care questions. The research is driven by real and immediate problems encountered by patients and families. Study results offer the clear prospect of improving health, reducing morbidity and mortality, and lowering costs and demand for health care.