Healthcare remains a top concern for many Americans, with rising costs, limited access to care, and a nationwide workforce shortage putting immense strain on medical facilities. While it may seem like these challenges are beyond our control, we can make a difference. By raising awareness and advocating for meaningful legislation, facilities can help bring more nurses into the workforce, ultimately improving patient care and taking steps to strengthen the healthcare system.
Healthcare Workforce Coalition
According to a November 2022 Health Workforce Analysis by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the US is projected to face a shortage of 78,610 full-time registered nurses by 2025 and 63,720 by 2030. Contributing factors include burnout, Baby Boomer retirements, a lack of educators to train new nurses, and restrictive visa policies for foreign-educated nurses.
In response, The Healthcare Workforce Coalition (HWC) was formed to unite diverse healthcare stakeholders in advocating for legislative solutions that strengthen and sustain the workforce. “Although there are many voices calling for action on workforce shortages, HWC is a unified voice bringing together stakeholders from across the healthcare continuum to push for common-sense, bipartisan solutions,” said American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment President and MedPro International Executive Vice President, International Operations Patty Jeffrey, R.N.
HWC advocates legislative and regulatory changes that will expand the workforce pipeline, support healthcare professionals, and improve patient access to care. By working collectively, this coalition believes it can build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for the future.
Legislative Action
HWC is currently supporting several key legislative efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve workplace conditions. One of these is the bipartisan Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act, which seeks to protect hospital employees from violence and intimidation in the workplace. Another is the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan bill designed to enhance employee safety initiatives, support healthcare professionals’ mental health, and combat burnout.
To address the urgent need for more qualified nurses in facilities, the HWC is also backing the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (HWRA). This legislation would allow officials to recapture and reallocate thousands of previously issued but unused immigrant visas for nurses and doctors to provide immediate workforce relief. HWRA does not create new green cards or displace American workers; instead, it brings in qualified healthcare professionals who meet U.S. education, licensing, and security standards.
This approach has a precedent—Congress successfully reallocated visas in 2000 and 2005. The bill has strong bipartisan support, introduced by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), with backing from a wide range of healthcare organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, National Rural Health Association, and American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment.
The Urgent Need for Action
While the HWRA alone won’t fully resolve the healthcare workforce shortage, it is a vital step toward easing the strain on hospitals and ensuring quality patient care. Members from HWC are headed to Washington, D.C., in March to speak with congressional representatives on this vital legislation. However, success requires broad support from various stakeholders.
Members of Congress need to hear directly from local hospitals and healthcare providers about their support for HWRA.
You can make an impact in four key ways:
- Send a Letter – Write to your senators and representatives about how HWRA would benefit your facility and community.
- Make a Call – Contact your senators and representatives to express your support.
- Engage on Social Media – Connect with congressional offices to amplify your message.
- Write an Opinion Piece – Submit a letter to the editor (LTE) or an op-ed to your local newspaper.
Local newspapers welcome expert commentary on issues such as the nursing shortage through 200-word letters to the editor (responding to published stories) or 600-word opinion pieces. These letters influence public perception and attract the attention of Congress. Additionally, policymakers’ social media is a great way to expose other potentially interested voters to the issue. Your voice as a healthcare provider is critical to demonstrate the urgency of this legislation and its direct impact on quality healthcare for Americans.
Learn more about the Healthcare Workforce Coalition and what you can do to strengthen U.S. healthcare HERE.