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Krishnamoorthi reintroduces bill to help internationally trained health care workers
The legislation seeks to ease licensing barriers and address persistent US health care workforce shortages.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sun, 19, Jul 2026
- 17:18 EDT
- 123
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / IANS
Congressnab Raja Krishnamoorthi on July 16 reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help internationally educated health care professionals practice in the United States and address ongoing workforce shortages.
Krishnamoorthi introduced the Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act with Rep. Adam Smith, The bill would establish a grant program through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help internationally trained doctors, nurses and other health care professionals overcome licensing, credentialing, language and employment barriers.
Also Read: Krishnamoorthi unveils college accountability legislation
The legislation comes as hospitals, clinics and long-term care providers continue to face staffing shortages nationwide. According to the lawmakers, nearly 14 percent of the roughly two million college-educated immigrants living in the United States hold health-related degrees, but many are unable to work in their professions because of licensing and credentialing hurdles. The Migration Policy Institute estimates the underutilization of these professionals results in about $10 billion in lost federal, state and local tax revenue annually.
"Across the country, communities are struggling with health care workforce shortages while highly qualified doctors, nurses, and other health professionals trained overseas remain sidelined by unnecessary barriers," Krishnamoorthi said. "Our legislation will help connect these talented professionals with the support they need to earn U.S. credentials, join the workforce more quickly, and expand access to quality care for patients across the country."
The bill would provide grants to partnerships involving health care organizations, community groups, higher education institutions and state and local governments. The funding would support assistance with obtaining overseas academic records, navigating the US licensing process, accessing English-language instruction and continuing education, receiving mentoring and career counseling, and addressing shortages of classroom and clinical instructors.
The legislation would also prioritize programs that help internationally educated health professionals serve rural communities and other medically underserved areas with critical workforce shortages.
The measure was first introduced in the previous Congress but did not advance before the session ended. It has been endorsed by more than 50 organizations, including the National Association of Indian Nurses of America, America's Essential Hospitals, the American Public Health Association, the National Rural Health Association and UnidosUS.
"It makes no economic sense to have trained nurses and doctors working far outside their field while hospitals can't fill shifts and patients wait longer for care," Smith said. "This bill doesn't lower a single standard- it removes barriers that keeps qualified professionals from contributing at the level of their skills."
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