Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Kosierowksi’s bill to address PA nursing shortage approved by Labor & Industry Committee

Kosierowksi’s bill to address PA nursing shortage approved by Labor & Industry Committee

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    July 1, 2025 | 1:22 PM

HARRISBURG, July 1— Legislation to support and sustain a strong, well-trained nursing workforce across Pennsylvania that was introduced by state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski was approved by the House Labor & Industry Committee today.

The legislation, H.B. 1676, addresses Pennsylvania’s growing nursing shortage. According to a Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania survey, Pennsylvania hospitals reported that an average of 14 percent of their nursing positions are unfilled, leaving existing nurses stretched thin and working longer hours. The situation is projected to worsen, with the state expected to face a shortage of 20,000 nurses by 2026.

“Nurses are an integral part of our healthcare system, from providing critical bedside care to educating patients and families to advocating for patient needs with hospital staff,” said Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna. “Without them, our healthcare system won’t be able to provide lifesaving care to the public.”

According to Kosierowski, fewer people entering the nursing profession has created an untenable workplace situation of longer hours and greater patient loads, causing many nurses to leave the profession due to high stress and burnout. In addition, many nurses are at retirement age and are expected to soon leave the profession. The result of having fewer nurses on hospital staffs has negatively impacted patient care, with increased mortality rates and diminished health outcomes for many patients.

“My legislative proposal is an outside-the-box solution to increase the recruitment and training of new nurses,” Kosierowski said. “My legislation would strengthen and support the nursing pipeline by paying in part for school loans and helping newly trained nurses secure employment.”

Kosierowski’s legislation would establish the Nursing Shortage Assistance Program within the Department of Labor and Industry. The program would provide grants to qualified nursing servicers to assist nursing students with securing post-graduation employment and repaying student loans incurred while obtaining a nursing degree from an educational institution located in the commonwealth.

The program would be funded by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $5 million investment dedicated to supporting nursing workforce initiatives in his proposed 2025-26 budget.
 
“My legislation would help the Commonwealth provide more creative and collaborative solutions to the nursing care shortage with the goal of helping our struggling healthcare system better serve the public,” Kosierowski said.

Currently, a state funded pilot program is in operation at Temple Health, Geisinger, Guthrie and WellSpan.

This proposal is a key part of the Shapiro administration's solution to addressing the nursing shortage across the Commonwealth.

House Bill 1676 moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration.