AHA supports bipartisan legislation to ease hospital staff shortages

May 05, 2021 - 08:47 AM
senate-legislation-update

AHA today voiced support for the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (H.R. 2255/S. 1024), bipartisan legislation that would expedite the visa authorization process for qualified international nurses to support hospitals facing staffing shortages. 

“Ensuring an adequate supply of physicians and nurses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is paramount,” AHA said in a letter of support to the House and Senate sponsors. “The U.S. continues to see significant increases in the number of COVID-19 patients in many communities. In those communities, the health care system is becoming stressed, and in some areas, hospitals are again reaching their full capacity. Your bipartisan legislation would address unprecedented health care worker shortages across the country, a foundational issue for our nation.”
 
AHA also supported the legislation in the last Congress.
 

Related News Articles

Chairperson's File
Chair File: Leadership Dialogue — Continuing the Work to Strengthen Health in America With AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack
Public
This month Congress enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a sweeping package that contained many of President Trump’s legislative priorities on taxes,…
Headline
CMS proposes increasing Medicare hospital outpatient department payment rates by 2.4% in CY 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 15 issued a proposed rule that would increase Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system…
Headline
AHA supports legislation adding 14,000 residency slots to address physician shortages
The AHA July 2 expressed support for the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 3890), bipartisan legislation that would add 14,000 Medicare-funded…
Headline
House passes final version of One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The House July 3 voted 218-214 to pass the final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), which enacts many of President Trump’s legislative…
Headline
House begins consideration of budget reconciliation bill on to House floor
The House has begun consideration of the Senate-passed version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). This continues to be a fluid…
Headline
Senate passes One Big Beautiful Bill Act 
The Senate narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) on July 1 by a 50-50 tally, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.…