The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) issued a report this month on the U.S. Congress and executive branch’s failure to establish immigration policies that would allow a sufficient number of foreign-born doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to work in the U.S. It is quite apparent that the U.S. needs to allot more visas and green cards to health care professionals to service America’s growing health care needs.
The report states “At a time of tremendous need in health care, the United States is saddled with an immigration system designed to prevent, not facilitate, the entry of highly skilled physicians, nurses, physical therapists and other foreign-born medical personnel. The aging U.S. population, the demands of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the potential benefits brought by medical advances and increased specialization mean America must tap the global talent pool in health care or see its citizens suffer the consequences.”
NAFP gave four broad policy recommendations, including establishing temporary visas for the entry of foreign nurses, and expanding the number of employment-based green cards so the wait times for skilled immigrants can be measured in weeks or months, rather than in years.
As America’s baby boom reaches the later stages of life, it is evident that change is necessary to service its medical needs, and that change includes more foreign health professionals.
See the entire report at
http://www.nfap.com/pdf/NFAP_Policy_Brief.Health_Care_and_Immigration.November2012.pdf
