What Does Stimulus Package Mean for Nurses

The following information was gathered from Nurselink.com. The full article can be found at:
http://www.nursinglink.com/news/articles/7548-what-does-the-stimulus-package-mean-for-nurses?page=4

Wheres does all the money go? The following is portions of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dealing directly with nurses. Go here to read the full bill.

• $600,000,000, of which $300,000,000 shall not be available until October 1, 2009, shall be for the training of nurses and primary care physicians and dentists.

• $1,000,000,000 shall be available for renovation and repair of health centers…the timeframe for the award of grants pursuant to section 1103(b) of this Act shall not be later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act instead of the timeframe specified in such section.

• $420,000,000 for an additional amount for ‘Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund’ to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic, including the development and purchase of vaccine, antivirals, necessary medical supplies, diagnostics, and other surveillance tools.

• Not less than $954,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out the immunization program

• Not less than $545,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out chronic disease, health promotion, and genomics programs, as jointly determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (‘Secretary’) and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (‘Director’).

• Not less than $335,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out domestic HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis prevention programs.

• Not less than $60,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out environmental health programs.

• Not less than $50,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out injury prevention and control programs.

• Not less than $30,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount for public health workforce development activities

• In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall invest in the infrastructure necessary to allow for and promote the electronic exchange and use of health information for each individual in the United States consistent with the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan developed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

• $950,000,000 for non-recurring maintenance, including energy projects at VA Hospitals