Excerpts from "Friends and Family" letter from US Senator Bill Frist, M.D. (TN).
Thank you for writing me to express your support for legislation that would bring the pensions of part time register nurses employed by the Depart of Veterans Affairs (VA) on par with the pensions of all other federal employees.
Because of my experience as a heart and lung transplant surgeon, and as the only physician in the Senate, I have dedicated much of my time in the Senate to improving our nation's health care system. Over the last few years I have become increasingly concerned with the growing shortage of registered nurses. That is why I am a cosponsor of S. 721, The Nursing Employment and Education Development Act (the NEED Act) which amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for the nursing workforce development student loan repayment program and permit the service required by such program to be performed in a skilled nursing facility, in a home health agency, in a public health department, or in a nurse-managed health center.
The shortage of register nurses will only be addressed by offering better incentives for young people to choose this wonderful occupation and by demonstrating that nurses are a valued and essential part of our health care system. Please rest assured that I will give any legislation affection the pensions of registered nurses employed by the VA my close consideration. I appreciate knowing of your support for this type of legislation.