Congressman Krishnamoorthi, Senator Kaine Introduce Legislation Addressing Workforce Shortages in Health Care

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the bicameral Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act, legislation that will address the dramatic shortages plaguing the health care sector. Of the two million college-educated immigrants currently living in the U.S., roughly 14 percent hold health-related degrees. These talented individuals are not working in the field, contributing to the nation's significant shortage of qualified health professionals and workers, according to the Migration Policy Institute. This underutilization of internationally educated professionals, unable to overcome barriers to fully integrate into the health care workforce in America, is contributing to fewer health care professionals while adding greater strain to our health care system. It is also estimated that this gap is responsible for $10 billion in unpaid federal, state, and local taxes annually. 

"Every day, I hear from my constituents about the difficulties of accessing care due to the ongoing health care workforce shortage our country faces," Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said. "I'm proud to introduce the Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act to ensure our health care sector is fully staffed through supporting community partnerships, streamlining licensing and credentialing for qualified health care workers trained overseas, and expanding opportunities to address classroom and clinical instructor shortages.”

“I recently met with students who shared with me their frustrations of immigrating to the United States, having a degree and significant experience, and not being able to find a job in their field that’s commensurate with their skills,” Senator Kaine said. “At a time when I’m hearing from hospitals and other health care employers about how difficult it is to find workers, we should be making it easier for these individuals to enter the health care workforce. I’m proud to introduce this bill to address common barriers that internationally educated health care professionals face and help ensure that our communities benefit from their many talents.”

Specifically, the Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act would create a grant program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration to:

• Support communities in developing local- and state-level partnerships between health care organizations, community-based organizations, higher education, and state and local governments to help connect internationally educated health care professionals with the resources they need to enter the health care workforce.
• Address barriers internationally educated health care professionals trying to enter the health care workforce face, by
• Assisting with obtaining overseas academic or training records and providing support throughout the U.S. licensing and credentialing process;
• Developing work-readiness, peer support, mentoring, and culturally competent career counseling opportunities;
• Establishing opportunities to complete necessary prerequisite courses, continuing education training, and English-language learning; and
• Supporting growth opportunities to address classroom and clinical instructor shortages.
• Give priority to partnerships focused on supporting health care workers serving rural communities or filling a workforce shortage within a community.

The bill is supported by: Advocates for Community Health, Afghan Cultural Society, American Geriatrics Society, American Public Health Association, American Seniors Housing Association, Americas Essential Hospitals, Arkansas United, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, Association of Dental Support Organizations, Ballad Health, California Immigrants Resources Center, CGFNS International, Chemeketa Community College, Federation of American Hospitals, Gerontological Society of America, Global Cleveland, IMPRINT Coalition, Intealth, International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, LeadingAge, Lifepoint Health, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Medicos Unidos Venezuela, National AHEC Organization, National Association for Geriatric Education, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, National Association of Indian Nurses of America, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Black Nurses Association, National Immigration Forum, National League for Nursing, National Rural Health Association, National Skills Coalition, Pars Equality Center, Los Angeles, Philippine Nurses Association of America, Portland Refugee Support Group, Providence Public School, Restore Education, RUSA LGBTQ, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Synergy Texas, Talent Beyond Boundaries, The International Medical Graduates Academy (TIMGA), The Welcoming Center, Tiyya Foundation, UnidosUS, Upwardly Global, US Together, Virginia Rural Health Association, Hospital and Healthcare Association, Welcome Back Initiative, Welcoming City, and World Education Services.

The companion bill in the Senate was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA).

A full copy of the bill text is available here.