The United States has introduced a new bill aimed at facilitating the hiring of foreign employees on H1-B visas by the Department of Veteran Affairs when there is a shortage of suitable applicants within the country.
The Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act, introduced by US Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Delia Ramirez, addresses the healthcare provider shortage in the country by allowing immigrant health workers who hold H1-B visas to provide essential services to veterans in need.
The bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs and State Veterans Homes as institutions exempt from the H1-B visa program cap, enabling them to hire immigrant health workers without restrictions.
Congresswoman Ramirez, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, emphasized the duty to uphold the commitment to veterans who are affected by the shortage of healthcare workers in the nation. She highlighted the potential to address this shortage by utilizing immigrants in the communities who are willing and prepared to work but face numerous obstacles.
The need for this legislation arose when the methadone clinic at the Detroit VA Medical Center, providing life-saving care to over 90 local veterans, faced the possibility of closure earlier this year due to challenges in hiring caused by the H1-B visa cap. Representative Tlaib’s intervention prevented the closure, and the bill aims to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
Congresswoman Tlaib emphasized the importance of providing high-quality healthcare to veterans and ensuring access to care, particularly for mental health services. She stressed the need to go beyond expressing gratitude for veterans’ service and to take action in supporting their overall health and well-being after they return home.
The legislation has received endorsements from The Veterans For Peace Save Our VA National Project and The American Immigration Lawyers Association.
