Peace Garden News

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) have introduced the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act in response to a projected shortage of approximately 100,000 critical health care workers by 2028, as estimated by the American Hospital Association. The shortage is expected to worsen existing disparities in access to care, particularly in rural communities. According to the National Rural Health Association, rural areas have significantly fewer physicians or specialists per capita compared to urban regions.

The proposed legislation aims to address these shortages by making a limited number of green cards available for qualified immigrant doctors and nurses. Specifically, it would allow for the “recapture” of previously authorized but unused green cards—up to 25,000 visas for nurses and up to 15,000 for physicians—without increasing the overall number of new visas issued.

“Highly trained immigrant doctors and nurses are a critical part of our workforce, and they provide valuable patient care at clinics and hospitals across North Dakota and throughout the country,” said Senator Cramer. “In many cases, these clinicians provide the only specialty care that’s available in their community. Our bill recognizes this urgent need can be addressed in part at least through a realignment towards merit-based immigration. It’ll allow highly skilled professionals to assist in solving the workforce and patient care demands of our communities without adding any numbers to the immigrant roster, just a realignment.”

Senator Durbin added: “Immigrant nurses and doctors have always played a critical role in our health care system, and they saw us through the COVID-19 pandemic. After years of caring for patients, it’s unacceptable that thousands of trained health care professionals currently working in the U.S. on temporary visas are stuck in the green card backlog while our country faces dire health care shortages. The bipartisan Health Care Workforce Resilience Act strengthens the health care workforce and helps to address the extensive immigration backlog.”

Under this act, employers must attest that immigrants who receive these visas will not displace American workers. Eligible medical professionals must also meet licensing requirements, pay filing fees, and pass national security and criminal background checks before receiving green cards.

The bill has received support from several organizations including the North Dakota Long Term Care Association (NDLTCA), North Dakota Hospital Association (NDHA), and North Dakota Medical Association (NDMA).

“We are grateful for Senator Cramer’s leadership in championing the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act,” stated a representative from NDLTCA. “International nurses not only provide compassionate care to our seniors, but also bring stability to a health care workforce under great strain. By allowing more nurses to build their careers here in North Dakota, this legislation helps ensure that our long term care facilities remain strong, our economy continues to grow, and our communities benefit from the skills, dedication, and heart these professionals contribute each day.”

A spokesperson from NDHA commented: “On behalf of the North Dakota Hospital Association and its 46 member hospitals, we appreciate Senator Cramer’s leadership in introducing the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act. This legislation would address the health care workforce shortages facing North Dakota hospitals and provide the needed flexibility for hiring both highly trained international nurses and physicians. Both professionals play such critical roles when providing patient care.”

Another supporter from NDMA said: “Increasing the number of visas available can open employment pathways for more physicians to better serve North Dakota in high-need areas, such as in rural health care settings and filling underserved specialty areas across North Dakota. Having the ability to access unused visas to advance health care is a smart move and should be supported.”

The act is endorsed by numerous national organizations including major hospital associations, medical societies, advocacy groups focused on healthcare access issues nationwide.

Several senators have joined as cosponsors: Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Todd Young (R-IN).

Further details about bill text can be found here.