ENA Washington Update - August 2025

News You Can Use

Senate Appropriations Committee Preserves Funding for Emergency Health Care Programs

On July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill, which funds essential programs aimed at improving emergency care. This legislation is the first step in the process for funding health care programs.

Two ENA priorities – the National Institute of Nursing Research and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs – were both fully funded. The Emergency Medical Services for Children program, which is in danger of being eliminated, is receiving the same $24.3 million in funding as its prior authorization. In addition, the committee ensured the continuation of the MISSION Zero program, which allows military trauma teams to share their expertise in civilian trauma centers.

ENA has aggressively advocated in support for these programs throughout this fiscal year. As the budget process continues, ENA will continue to educate members of Congress on the importance of maintaining robust support for health care programs aimed at improving emergency care for Americans.

ENA Supports Legislation to Combat ED Boarding

ENA recently supported new legislation tackling the boarding issue plaguing the nation’s hospitals. The Addressing Boarding and Crowding in the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 2936/S. 1974) was introduced by Reps. John Joyce, R-Pa., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., for the first time this year.

The ABC-ED Act seeks to leverage hospital bed tracking data and facility coordination to address the boarding issue, especially for those needing transfer to post-acute care. Additionally, it would mandate a study to determine best practices for public health data systems to ensure more hospitals have access to innovative techniques and strategies to combat overcrowding and ED boarding. The ENA Government Relations Team has begun to discuss ENA’s support for the ABC-ED Act in recent congressional meetings and is working closely with partners such as American College of Emergency Physicians to support passage of this legislation.

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MISSION ZERO Is Popular, Innovative and Needs to be Reauthorized. Learn More

Workplace Violence Has No Cure. Tell Congress to Do More to Fight It!

Support Tyler’s Law to Effectively Implement Fentanyl Testing in EDs!

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Datebook

Upcoming Government Relations and Advocacy Events:

Sept. 17-20 Emergency Nursing 2025  Learn More & Register

Oct. 5-11 Emergency Nurses Week       Learn More