The US House of Representatives has passed HR 1127, extending the Conrad State 30 Program.  The program expired on March 6th and this bill will allow it to continue until September 30, 2009. The measure passed on a suspension vote. 

The bill was then referred to the Senate, who passed the bill.  The bill is now before the President for signature into law. 

***** 

Arizona Republicans Jeff Blake and John Shadegg and Democrat Ed Pastor have introduced HR 1001, a bill creating a "W" visa that would allow up to 50,000 nurses to enter the US each year in non-immigrant status. The bill has been introduced previously and it is not clear yet that it will be marked up in the House Immigration Subcommittee.

***** 

In remarks at the White House Health Summit, President Obama discussed the nursing shortage with Congresswoman Lois Capps, a former nurse.  At the forum, the President outlined his proposed budget increase for nursing education in the US in hopes of ending the country's dependence on foreign nurses. 

According to the President, it makes no sense that the US must import foreign nurses in order to meet its health care needs.  Congresswoman Capps commented that the foreign nurses are vital because the US does not have adequate education and training facilities for nurses.

President Obama agreed that the US is not doing enough to train and retain American nurses, stating that they are not sufficiently compensated, they do not have adequate working conditions and nursing faculty are poorly paid. 

***** 

The Center to Champion Nursing in America has launched the Champion Nursing Coalition, a diverse group of health care consumer, payer and provider organizations that will work to educate Americans about the nation’s severe nursing shortage and its impact on health care quality, access and cost.

< Back | Index | Next > 

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.