(Article by LeadingAge) On June 9th, Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced three bills to help alleviate health care workforce shortages across the country and reduce employment barriers for immigrants who want to work in the health care field. The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act, HR 8021, would help immigrants, regardless of whether they have any previous health care experience, get the financial support they need to enter nursing and allied health careers including nursing, mental and behavioral health, and other health care professions. The International Medical Graduate Assistance Act, HR 8022, would help reduce barriers that international medical graduates face when trying to complete the necessary training and certification to receive a U.S. medical license. The Professional’s Access to Health (PATH) Workforce Integration Act, HR 8019, would offer training and counseling opportunities to internationally trained health professionals who are U.S. citizens, or immigrants legally residing in the U.S. while educating employers on the abilities and capacities of health professionals who have been educated overseas. Read more about the bills in this article.
