ASN Supports Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act; KidneyX Receives Bipartisan Funding Nod

The US health care workforce is facing a shortage impacting those seeking kidney care. In 2019, the Association of American Medical Colleges projected that demand for physicians will continue to outpace supply, and the United States will see a shortage of up to 122,000 physicians by 2032 (1). Although this threat facing the US health care workforce has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the kidney care workforce is already facing shortage challenges. Just one practicing nephrologist is available for every 3427 people living with kidney diseases in the United States. As a talented and diverse kidney care workforce is vital to the nation's kidney health (nearly one-half of practicing nephrologists are international medical graduates) (2), ASN is advocating for multiple bipartisan and bicameral efforts introduced in the 117th Congress that will alleviate the constraints that the kidney care workforce confronts.

ASN supports the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024, H.R. 2255), which directs the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to “recapture” previously unused immigrant visas and make them available to nurses and physicians who petition for such a visa before 90 days after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (which was renewed on April 12, 2022, and is expected be renewed again this summer). Up to 40,000 visas are available, with 25,000 reserved for nurses and 15,000 for physicians. Certain family members may accompany the principal beneficiary of a visa provided under this bill and will not count against the 40,000 cap. These recaptured visas would also not be subject to “country caps,” expanding the qualified applicant pool, as they would be drawn from a pool of unused employment-based visas that Congress has previously authorized. This bill would release the commitment and talent of foreign-born medical professionals across the nation providing needed reinforcements to our health care workers who are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 and ensure that kidney care professionals are able to meet the needs of their patients.

ASN also supports the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (S. 948, H.R. 3541), which incentivizes foreign physicians to serve in underserved rural communities. The bill waives the typical requirement—that individuals under a J-1 nonimmigrant visa to receive medical training must leave the country and reside for 2 years abroad before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence. The waiver is provided if the individual meets certain qualifications, including serving for a number of years at a health care facility in an underserved area. In addition to extending the statutory authority for the program for 3 years upon enactment, the bill allows for the number of waivers that each state may obtain in the next fiscal year (FY) to increase from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year.

Congress must ensure that there is a robust pathway for kidney health care professionals and invest in the needs of all Americans living with kidney diseases and kidney failure. These bills would bolster the US health care workforce while addressing the nation's kidney care needs, especially among citizens living in rural areas. Updates on progress made to address the challenges facing the kidney care workforce will be provided in subsequent issues of Kidney News and in real time via @ASNAdvocacy on Twitter.