Press Release: TNA Applauds the Texas Legislature for Prioritizing Nursing in the 88th Session

For Immediate Release
June 1, 2023
Contact: Lisa Maxwell
Texas Nurses Association
lmaxwell@texasnurses.org
512.452.0648 x 130

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The Texas Nurses Association Applauds the Texas Legislature for Prioritizing Nursing in the 88th Session

Bills supporting nursing education, workplace violence prevention, and school nurse authority passed this session.

Austin, TX — The Texas Nurses Association is pleased to share that the Texas Legislature acted decisively during the 88th regular session to address the nursing shortage through historic investments in nursing education; to create comprehensive protections from workplace violence against nurses and other health professionals; and to expand the authority of school nurses to better care for Texas students. Each of these policies were of high priority for TNA and our members.

The Legislature also took important steps to invest in mental health services in Texas, expand post-partum coverage for new mothers on Medicaid from two to twelve months, and enacted several other policies that will protect the health of Texans. These policies will have positive effects that ripple throughout the state.

TNA would like to thank our many partners in these efforts. Notably, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who designated Senate Bill 25 a priority item, and Speaker Dade Phelan for their leadership of the chambers; Senators Kolkhorst, Campbell, and Johnson for their leadership on Senate legislation; Representatives Klick and Howard for their leadership on House legislation; and our many coalition partners, including the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Association of Health Plans, Texas Health Care Association, Texas Woman’s University System, LeadingAge Texas, the Memorial Hermann Health System, and the many Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition members, Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition members, and Texas Public Health Coalition members, as well as The Immunization Partnership. Texas nurses can rest assured that numerous elected officials and healthcare leaders are working to represent them well in state policymaking.

Most importantly, we thank the hundreds of Texas nurses who advocated for these policies, made their voices heard, and took part in enacting change. These changes will expand the number of nursing professionals throughout the state; give nurses a greater role in setting workplace violence prevention policies for their facilities and offer better support services; save students’ lives; and lead to a safer, healthier state for all Texans. We look forward to providing detailed information on each of these policy changes in the coming months.