US Congressmen introduce bills to address healthcare worker shortages

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Congressman Adam Smith have introduced two legislative measures designed to address domestic healthcare shortages by integrating qualified immigrant medical professionals into the workforce. The proposed bills, the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act and the Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act, aim to eliminate licensing, training, and financial obstacles for immigrants already residing in the United States.

The legislation comes as the US healthcare system faces significant staffing challenges. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034, while an estimated 200,000 nurses will be needed annually to meet demand and replace retirees.

The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act specifically proposes grants for programs that assist immigrants with training, certification, and case management. It also seeks to expand eligibility for the National Health Service Corps to include non-US-citizen immigrants.