Legislation by a New York congresswoman would provide grants to increase registered nurses in public schools. HR 6201 was introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-New York, and is cosponsored by Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif.
McCarthy is an RN with 30 years' experience . Capps was a nurse and health educator for more than 20 years in Santa Barbara schools, and in 2001 successfully sponsored the Nurse Reinvestment Act.
McCarthy's bill would amend the Public Health Service Act of 2008, making grants through the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide nurses in school districts with fewer than one nurse per 1,000 public school students. It has been referred to the House committee on Energy and Commerce.
"For many children, contact with a school nurse is often the only consistent access to a healthcare professional available, especially for preventative care," McCarthy wrote in a letter to other lawmakers.
"Currently more than 50% of public schools in the U.S. do not have a full-time registered nurse," she said, "despite their demonstrated role in facilitating learning as they handle students' increasingly complex health issues — from asthma to food allergies, obesity, vision deficiencies, prescription medications, and mental and behavioral problems."
