ACR Champions Bill to Grow Physician Workforce

ACR^® supports the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (S.2759/H.R. 5283), a bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), along with Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Don Bacon (R-NE). This legislation aims to address the nation’s shortage of doctors and nurses by recapturing 15,000 unused immigrant visas for physicians and 25,000 unused immigrant visas for nurses that Congress previously authorized. This bill aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce and address the extensive immigration backlog.

If the bill is enacted, the number of highly trained physicians in the U.S. healthcare system could increase by expediting the visa authorization process for qualified international physicians, who are urgently needed but remain overseas due to administrative backlogs despite many being approved to come to the U.S. as lawful permanent residents.  It would also allow thousands of international physicians who are currently working in the U.S. on temporary visas with approved immigrant petitions to adjust their status.

ACR looks forward to working with Congress on solutions to address the physician workforce crisis. If you have questions, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Government Affairs Director.