Contact: Louisa Tavlas
WASHINGTON, D.C. February 17, 2022 – Introduced by Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), and Chris Coons (D-DE) in April 2020, HWRA would fix bureaucratic errors to recapture unused visas and allocate them to nurses and physicians. This is critical in helping us respond adequately to the COVID-19 emergency.
Niskanen was among the bill’s first endorsers, which recaptures 25,000 visas for nurses — an occupation that has faced a shortage for years — and 15,000 visas for physicians. It will ensure that the U.S. healthcare workforce has the resources it needs to respond to the pandemic. Our analysis of the bill is available here.
“This bill is an innovative effort to enhance our healthcare workforce with individuals committed to coming to America. At a time when lawmakers need to think strategically about the health and recovery of our nation, it’s refreshing to see a growing bipartisan coalition of leaders come together on this effort,” said Kristie De Peña, Vice President of Policy at the Niskanen Center.
De Peña added, “We urge both chambers to prioritize and pass this legislation.”
The Niskanen Center looks forward to continuing to work with lawmakers and their staff on this important effort.
The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
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