H.R. 6989 — Public Health Nursing Act

This section establishes a grant program under the Public Health Service Act to create, expand, and sustain the public health nursing workforce (i.e., licensed registered nurses providing preventive health, nutrition, infectious disease, chronic disease management, and maternal/infant care services, particularly in medically underserved areas). Grants to state, local, and territorial public health departments may be used for (1) recruiting, hiring, and training such nurses for employment in public health facilities (including mobile health clinics, acute care hospitals, and home visitation), (2) medical supplies such as personal protective equipment, and (3) administrative costs, with subgrants permitted to local departments; recipients must maintain prior-year non-Federal spending levels. The Secretary must prioritize applicants serving high-risk populations (e.g., areas with high chronic disease, infant/maternal mortality, low-income or rural communities, health professional shortage areas, or maternity care target areas) and those offering culturally/linguistically appropriate services with supportive labor policies. The section authorizes $5 billion annually for FY2026 through FY2035.