In a move to alleviate the United States' growing healthcare worker shortage, Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced two key bills on October 1. These proposals aim to streamline the process for immigrant and internationally trained doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals to practice in the U.S.
Tackling Licensing Barriers for Skilled Immigrants
Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlighted the importance of allowing qualified immigrants to apply their training, stating, "When we make better use of the talent already in our communities, we strengthen our health care system and expand access to care." Congressman Smith added that thousands of skilled professionals face barriers to utilizing their expertise due to unrecognized qualifications, while the healthcare system is "stretched thin."
The two legislative measures are:
- The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act: This bill proposes grants for programs that offer training, licensing, certification, and case management services to immigrants pursuing careers in nursing or allied health fields. It also expands access to the National Health Service Corps for non-U.S. citizen immigrants, covering professions such as dental hygienists, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
- The Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act: Focused on doctors educated outside the U.S., this act encourages states to establish temporary licensing programs. These programs would allow foreign-trained physicians to practice under supervision while completing the necessary education, training, and certification for a full U.S. medical license. Additionally, it seeks to guarantee medical residency slots for these doctors in medically underserved communities and provides grants to cover costs like exam preparation, testing, certification, and English-language classes.
Addressing a Critical Shortfall
The lawmakers cited a 2022 Migration Policy Institute study revealing that 2.1 million college-educated immigrants in the U.S. are either unemployed or underemployed. Furthermore, the Association of American Medical Colleges projects a potential shortfall of up to 48,000 primary-care physicians by 2034, underscoring the urgency of these legislative efforts.
The proposed bills have garnered support from various organizations, including World Education Services, Upwardly Global, the International Medical Graduates Academy, and the Seattle Indian Health Board. For these changes to take effect, the proposals must now successfully navigate through Congress.