Kaine, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Boost Health Care Workforce, Address Shortages

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act, legislation to address health care workforce shortages across the country. The bill would help internationally educated health care professionals overcome common barriers to entering the health care workforce in the United States.

"Everywhere I go in Virginia-especially in rural communities-I hear about health care workforce shortages. We should think creatively to address those shortages and ensure we're tapping into all of the resources and talents of those in the United States," said Kaine. "One way we can do this is by making it easier for people who were trained internationally and have significant experience to enter the health care workforce. I'm proud to introduce this bill that would help these professionals serve their communities."

"Many of our rural communities face significant obstacles to providing quality health care because of workforce shortages. This legislation would create opportunities for qualified health care professionals to help meet the needs of Alaskans," said Murkowski. "These health care professionals have found a home in Alaska and are ready and willing to answer the call to serve their communities. It is a win for everyone when we recognize their value and welcome their expertise into our nation's health care workforce."

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), over two million college-educated immigrants in the U.S. are either unemployed or underemployed, and approximately 270,000 of these individuals hold health-related degrees but are working below their level of training or are not working in health care. The Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act would help tap the talents of these individuals-who are living in the U.S. and legally able to work-and make it easier for them to enter the health care workforce at a level commensurate with their education, skills, and experiences.

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.
  • 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 legislation is supported by: Advocates for Community Health, Afghan Cultural Society, American Geriatrics Society, American Health Care Association, 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, 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 Center for Assisted Living, 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, TruMerit, UnidosUS, Upwardly Global, US Together, Virginia Center for Assisted Living, Virginia Health Care Association, Virginia Rural Health Association, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, Welcome Back Initiative, Welcoming City, and World Education Services.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

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