Krishnamoorthi and Smith Propose Bills to Strengthen the Immigrant Healthcare Workforce

Summary:
U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Adam Smith have introduced two bills aimed at helping qualified immigrants enter the healthcare workforce while addressing nationwide shortages of medical professionals. The proposals would provide support for training, licensing and certification for immigrant nurses, allied health workers and internationally trained physicians, including grants for exams, education, English-language training and case management. One bill would also create temporary supervised licensing pathways and residency opportunities for foreign-trained doctors serving underserved communities. The legislation is supported by several healthcare and immigrant advocacy organisations, which say reducing licensing and financial barriers would help communities access skilled professionals while strengthening the U.S. healthcare system. 

Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Adam Smith (D-WA) have put forward two bills designed to help immigrants enter the U.S. health care workforce while addressing shortages of medical professionals.

The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act and the Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act would provide support for training, licensing and certification for immigrants pursuing health care careers, including physicians who received their medical education outside the United States.

A statement issued by Krishnamoorthi’s office cited a 2022 Migration Policy Institute study showing that 2.1 million college-educated immigrants were either unemployed or working below their qualifications. It also referenced an Association of American Medical Colleges projection that the United States could face a shortage of as many as 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034.

“Skilled doctors, nurses, and other health professionals should have the opportunity to put their training and expertise to work caring for patients,” said Krishnamoorthi. “Our legislation would help qualified immigrants overcome unnecessary barriers to entering the health care workforce while helping communities address critical provider shortages. When we make better use of the talent already in our communities, we strengthen our health care system and expand access to care.”

Smith said the proposed measures would tackle the barriers that keep qualified immigrant health professionals from practicing in the United States.

“We have thousands of skilled nurses, doctors, and health professionals in this country whose training and expertise are going to waste because their professional expertise is not recognized and they face numerous barriers to achieving the needed licensure. At the same time, our health care system is stretched thin and patients are waiting longer for care,” said Smith. “This bill package helps immigrants put their skills to work and serve their communities and will rebuild the health care system.”

The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act would create grants for programmes that provide training, licensing, certification and case management to immigrants interested in health care careers, regardless of whether they have prior experience in the field. The legislation would also make immigrants who are not U.S. citizens eligible for the National Health Service Corps.

The statement projected that around 200,000 nurses would need to be recruited each year to meet increasing demand and replace workers who are retiring. The legislation would additionally assist immigrants seeking careers as dental hygienists, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists and speech-language pathologists.

The Internationally Trained Physicians Assistance Act would encourage states to create temporary licensing pathways allowing immigrants with medical degrees earned abroad to practise under supervision while completing the training and certification needed to obtain a U.S. medical licence.

The bill would also provide guaranteed residency positions for internationally trained physicians who primarily serve medically underserved communities. Grants would assist eligible physicians facing financial difficulties with costs associated with exam preparation, examinations, certification, English as a second language classes and case management.

The statement noted that additional licensing requirements, along with the expense of examinations, preparation and certification, can make it difficult for internationally trained physicians to secure U.S. medical licences. While a number of states have introduced alternative licensing routes, the bill’s sponsors believe federal assistance could expand these efforts and improve access to health care.

Groups supporting the legislation said the proposals could help communities benefit from the expertise of immigrant and refugee health professionals who are currently unable to work in their trained professions.

“Across the U.S., communities face critical health workforce shortages, yet immigrant and refugee health professionals, who possess in-demand skills, remain underemployed. Communities need this talent, and recognizing it is an essential step. By streamlining licensure and addressing unnecessary barriers, we can meet urgent labor needs and improve access to quality care. We support efforts, including at the state and federal levels, to advance policies that promote community prosperity by ensuring that immigrants can fully contribute their training and skills to their local economy,” said Kit Taintor, head of U.S. policy and practice at World Education Services.

Alice Kang, president of Upwardly Global, said the bills would create greater opportunities for immigrant professionals while helping meet the health care sector’s workforce requirements.

“We are proud to support these bills, which will expand opportunities for immigrant professionals while helping address critical workforce shortages in the healthcare sector,” said Kang. “With demand for healthcare workers rising nationwide, we should be creating pathways that allow qualified immigrants and refugees to contribute their expertise. This legislation will strengthen our healthcare system, bolster the economy and support safer, more resilient communities. Upwardly Global will continue to stand with Rep. Smith in moving this work forward.”

Tamara Cyhan Cunitz, executive director of the Nashi Immigrants Health Board, said members of her organisation encounter financial and administrative obstacles despite having medical qualifications.

“Many members of our team hold advanced education and expertise in medicine, nursing, and behavioral health. Yet they are unable to practice here due to costly additional education requirements and complex licensing procedures. At a time when we are confronted with a significant healthcare provider shortage, and as we work to diversify the healthcare workforce, it is critical to consider policies that create pathways for these highly skilled professionals to contribute to patient care,” said Cunitz. “These bills introduced by Rep. Smith would expand opportunities for immigrant healthcare professionals to serve patients in our community and region. These measures would not only strengthen our workforce with qualified providers but also enable community members to receive care from clinicians who understand their language and cultural background.”

The legislation has received support from the International Medical Graduates Academy, Nashi Immigrants Health Board, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Seattle Indian Health Board, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Talent Beyond Boundaries, Upwardly Global and World Education Services.