Bill Overview
Title: Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes and expands programs to reduce barriers to enter the nursing or allied health professional workforce that are faced by some immigrants. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services may award grants to state, tribal, and local governments and private organizations for covering certain costs to assist lawfully present immigrants with entering such professions. These include costs related to education, training, or licensure and assistance in obtaining overseas academic or training records. The bill also makes lawfully present immigrants eligible to participate in the National Health Services Corps. The corps provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to health care providers who agree to work in areas with health care provider shortages.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Target Audience
Population: Lawfully present immigrants pursuing careers in nursing or allied health professions
Estimated Size: 1600000
- The bill aims at reducing barriers for lawfully present immigrants pursuing careers in nursing or allied health professions.
- Assistance may include coverage of costs related to education, training, or licensure.
- It also provides access to the National Health Services Corps, which targets health care provider shortages.
- This bill could be of interest to immigrants already lawfully present and those considering professions in the health sector.
Reasoning
- The policy targets lawfully present immigrants interested in nursing and allied health professions, which might not be large in comparison to the overall U.S. workforce but significant within immigrant communities.
- The policy's impact can be high for those directly benefiting from the grants, as the cost reduction in education and training can substantially improve access to these professions.
- Given the program's budget, not all of the 1.2 million potentially interested individuals will benefit equally. Thus, the program may prioritize areas with the highest scarcity of healthcare professionals.
- Those already in health-related fields may experience little direct impact unless they seek further licensure.
- The policy might not affect immigrants not pursuing these professions, or those without barriers related to licensure and education. Thus, a portion of the population will remain unaffected.
Simulated Interviews
Certified Nursing Assistant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will really help me achieve my dream of becoming a registered nurse.
- The support for education and training is invaluable since it's usually so expensive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Licensed Vocational Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Participating in the program would ease the financial burden of furthering my career.
- It's beneficial for making education accessible but applies mostly to those just starting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Radiologic Technologist (Miami, FL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't need further qualifications right now, so this policy doesn't impact me.
- It's great for those needing additional licensure or educational support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Medical Assistant (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This can help me progress toward being a Physician Assistant by covering some educational expenses.
- Breaking into new roles isn't as daunting with financial support these programs provide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The financial support for exams and licensure is crucial to my future career as a nurse.
- It's a game changer for immigrants struggling with academic expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
General Practitioner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is fantastic for emerging professionals who face hurdles I've seen with education costs.
- It won't affect me much personally, but benefits community health supply.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Pharmacy Technician (New York, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Assistance with further education expenses is likely helpful to pursue my certifications.
- Access to expanded resources means I can finally float the costs of my professional education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Hospital Administrator (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I won't benefit directly, this initiative could increase the workforce in understaffed departments.
- I anticipate improved morale and staffing levels in the coming years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Occupational Therapist Assistant (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 9.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any tuition assistance through this policy will help me tremendously in advancing my career path.
- It's daunting getting the funds needed otherwise, making this policy very appealing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems geared toward new entries into the field.
- Since I'm already working as a nurse, I'm not the target for this assistance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $135000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $170000000)
Year 2: $140000000 (Low: $105000000, High: $175000000)
Year 3: $145000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $180000000)
Year 5: $155000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $190000000)
Year 10: $170000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $210000000)
Year 100: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring that scholarships and training programs are accessible and effectively targeted to immigrants in healthcare sectors.
- Monitoring and adjusting the level of grant funding as demand for the program and economic conditions evolve.