The US has introduced a bill which would make it easier for the Department of Veteran Affairs to hire foreign employees on H1-B visas in case of a dearth of a suitable applicant in the country.
What is the new Act?
Two US Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Delia Ramirez introduced the Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act which will help address the issue of healthcare provider shortage in the country by allowing immigrant health workers who are H1-B visa holders, to offer the services that the veterans need.
The bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs and State Veterans Homes as institutions which will not have a cap for the purposes of the H1-B visa programme.
Immigrants to bridge gap of health worker shortage
“We have a duty to uphold our commitment to our veterans, who are being affected by the health worker shortage in our nation.
We can address this shortage with the immigrants in our communities who are ready and want to work, but face so many hurdles to do so,” said Congresswoman Ramirez, member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
How the situation arose
The Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act was developed after the Detroit VA Medical Center nearly had to close down its methadone clinic which provides life-saving care to more than 90 local veterans.
The closure had to happen earlier this year due to hiring difficulties imposed by the H1-B visa cap.
Representative Tlaib’s intervention was able to keep the clinic from closing and the bill is meant to ensure such a situation does not arise again in the future.
Gratitude in the form of providing support
“Our veterans deserve high-quality health care, and our district knows firsthand the importance of providing access to care, especially mental health services for veterans who need it most,” said Congresswoman Tlaib.
“We cannot just express our gratitude to our veterans for their service to our country, we must do more to ensure that every veteran has the support they need to live healthy lives,” she said.
To provide veterans support after they return home
“I am proud to introduce this legislation to expand healthcare providers for our veterans by welcoming healthcare professionals who are immigrants to care for them, and I will continue to ensure that our veterans are not forgotten when they return home,” she said.
This legislation is endorsed by The Veterans For Peace Save Our VA National Project and The American Immigration Lawyers Association.
