AHA urges Congress to include workforce bill in COVID-19 relief package

The AHA today urged Congressional leaders to support the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (H.R. 6788/S.3599), and include it in forthcoming COVID-19 relief legislation.

Specifically, the bill would expedite the visa authorization process for highly-trained nurses who could support hospitals facing staffing shortages, ensuring hospitals are better positioned to provide patient care. In addition, it would provide protections to U.S.-trained, international physicians who are vitally important to patient care in their communities, but whose visa status puts them at heightened risk should they get sick.

“As we’ve seen since the pandemic began, immigrant nurses and physicians are essential providers of patient care, and they are critical to our battle against COVID-19,” AHA said. “This legislation recognizes their critical role and contributions to our nation.”