The bill would reauthorize the program for three years, bringing up to 300 foreign nurses each year into the United States to work in the shortage areas. The original program expired in 2009.
Hospitals with at least 190 acute-care beds in federally designated health professional shortage areas that meet Medicare and Medicaid activity thresholds are eligible to participate in the program.
Read the AHA News Now report on the H1-C temporary visa program.
Related Articles on Health Professional Shortage Areas:
National Physician Shortages Take Their Toll on States
Rural Physicians See Higher Average Compensation Than Those in Cities, Suburbs
