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Rep. Smith Introduces Package of Legislation to Make it Easier for Immigrants to Enter the Health Care Workforce

May 25, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement after introducing the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act, the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Assistance Act, and the Professional’s Access to Health (PATH) Workforce Integration Act. These three bills would help immigrants enter health care professions, including primary care physicians, nurses, behavioral health professionals, and technicians, and alleviate the shortage of workers that has taken a toll on our health care system.
 
“Our health care workforce is severely strained after years of grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. We desperately need more health care workers and there are potentially millions of people here in the U.S. looking for jobs in the health care field but face significant unnecessary barriers. The package of legislation I’m introducing today would make it easier for immigrants to enter the health care workforce by providing funding for training, licensing, certification, and case management services and reduce licensing and certification hurdles for immigrants who come to the U.S. with previous health care experience,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash). “These three bills would pave pathways to high-quality, good-paying jobs, reduce the shortage of health care workers, and help rebuild our health care system in the Ninth District and across the country.”
 
Statements of Support
 
“The U.S. faces critical health workforce shortages, while immigrant and refugee health workers continue to be disproportionately underemployed. Immigrant and refugee health workers have in-demand skills and are well-positioned to mitigate these employment gaps. We applaud Rep. Smith’s commitment to promoting inclusion and increasing access to quality care for communities across the U.S.” – Esther Benjamin, CEO and Executive Director, World Education Services (WES)
 
“We applaud Rep. Adam Smith for his leadership in introducing these important bills, which will promote pathways to health care professions for immigrant and refugee workers. There are at least 263,000 immigrants and refugees with health care backgrounds who are under- or unemployed in the U.S. It is critical that Congress passes the International Medical Graduate Assistance Act and the Immigrants in Allied Health Act to ensure more equitable access to health care professions while at the same time addressing looming health care staffing shortages.” – Mohamed Khalif, President, Washington Academy for International Medical Graduates
 
“The United States faces a growing shortage of healthcare professionals that will worsen in the coming decade. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants and refugees, including un- or underemployed professionals with international credentials, can help fill workforce gaps in our healthcare system if the government puts the right reforms and support in place. These three bills would help eliminate key barriers that prevent immigrants from entering the healthcare field in the United States. Upwardly Global applauds Rep. Smith for introducing this critical legislation package, and their efforts to help build a more equitable and resilient healthcare system.” – Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO, Upwardly Global
 
“The workforce shortage across our healthcare system is at crisis levels. The demand for skilled, dedicated professionals in all fields has never been greater, yet employment barriers faced by our immigrant and refugee communities only exacerbate the problem instead of solving it. Opening up pathways for our immigrant neighbors to enter the healthcare fields they care about will make our communities healthier and will make our healthcare system more sustainable. International Community Health Services applauds Rep. Smith for this bold investment in our immigrant communities and our healthcare workforce.” – Kelli Nomura, Chief Executive Officer, International Community Health Services
 
“The vision of Nashi Immigrants Health Board is to understand, support and empower our Ukrainian and Russian speaking community and provide for a healthy future for “Nashi” (our community) through a lens of health equity and social justice. Nashi Immigrants Health Board is comprised of people from our community, and we know firsthand the barriers faced by immigrants with expertise in healthcare fields, preventing them from practicing their profession in the United States. Especially now, when we are facing a healthcare provider shortage, while seeking to diversify our healthcare workforce. These 3 bills, introduced by Rep. Smith, would allow for our community to have opportunities to receive healthcare from other members of the community who understand their language and culture, while also contributing skilled providers to our current workforce.” – Tamara Cyhan Cunitz, MN, RN, Executive Director, Nashi Immigrants Health Board

 
Background
 
The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act would help immigrants, regardless of whether they have any previous health care experience, get the financial support they need to enter nursing and allied health careers including nursing, mental and behavioral health, and other health care professions.
A fact sheet about the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act can be found here. The bill text can be found here.
 
The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act is endorsed by Afghan Cultural Society, Arkansas United, California Immigrants Resources Center, Chemeketa Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), Global Cleveland, IMPRINT Coalition, International Community Health Services, International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, La Casa de Amistad, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Médicos Unidos Venezuela-USA chapter, Nashi Immigrants Health Board, National Immigration Forum, National Skills Coalition, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, OneAmerica, Pars Equality Center, Los Angeles, Portland Refugee Support Group, Presidents’ Alliance  on Higher Education and Immigration, Restore Education, RUSA LGBTQ, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Seattle Indian Health Board, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Synergy Texas, Talent Beyond Boundaries, The Refugee Advocacy Lab, The Welcoming Center, Tiyya Foundation, Upwardly Global, US Together Inc., WA Allied Health Center of Excellence, Welcome Back Initiative, Welcoming City, and World Education Services.
 
The International Medical Graduate (IMG) Assistance Act would help reduce the barriers that international medical graduates face when trying to complete the necessary training and certification to receive a U.S. medical license.
A fact sheet about the IMG Assistance Act can be found here. The bill text can be found here.
 
The IMG Assistance Act is endorsed by Afghan Cultural Society, Arkansas United, California Immigrants Resources Center, Chemeketa Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Cicero Institute, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), Global Cleveland, IMPRINT Coalition, International Community Health Services, International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, La Casa de Amistad, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Médicos Unidos Venezuela-USA chapter, Nashi Immigrants Health Board, National Immigration Forum, National Skills Coalition, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, One Refugee, OneAmerica, Pars Equality Center, Los Angeles, Portland Refugee Support Group, Restore Education, RUSA LGBTQ, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Seattle Indian Health Board, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Synergy Texas, Talent Beyond Boundaries, The Refugee Advocacy Lab, The Welcoming Center, Tiyya Foundation, Upwardly Global, US Together Inc., WA Allied Health Center of Excellence, Welcome Back Initiative, Welcoming City, and World Education Services.
 
The Professional’s Access to Health (PATH) Workforce Integration Act would offer training and counseling opportunities to internationally trained health professionals who are U.S. citizens, or immigrants legally residing in the U.S. while educating employers on the abilities and capacities of health professionals who have been educated overseas.
A fact sheet about the PATH Workforce Integration Act can be found here. The bill text can be found here.
 
The PATH Workforce Integration Act is endorsed by Afghan Cultural Society, Arkansas United, California Immigrants Resources Center, Chemeketa Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Cicero Institute, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), Global Cleveland, IMPRINT Coalition, International Community Health Services, International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, La Casa de Amistad, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Médicos Unidos Venezuela-USA chapter, Nashi Immigrants Health Board, National Immigration Forum, National Skills Coalition, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, One Refugee, OneAmerica, Pars Equality Center, Los Angeles, Portland Refugee Support Group, Presidents’ Alliance  on Higher Education and Immigration, Restore Education, RUSA LGBTQ, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Seattle Indian Health Board, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, Synergy Texas, Talent Beyond Boundaries, The Refugee Advocacy Lab, The Welcoming Center, Tiyya Foundation, Upwardly Global, US Together Inc., WA Allied Health Center of Excellence, Welcome Back Initiative, Welcoming City, and World Education Services.

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Rep. Smith Statement on Elections in Puntland

May 23, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement regarding the district council elections taking place in Puntland, Somalia on May 25.

“I look forward to seeing the historic direct elections take place in Puntland this week. I applaud the people of Puntland for their dedication to advancing their democratic commitments. The elections represent positive progress for reaching democratic aspirations in Puntland, other parts of Somalia, and the entire region and I encourage all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful election process. I am proud to represent a vibrant Somali community in the Ninth District and I commend their commitment to making these direct elections possible.”

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Rep. Smith Introduces the Grant Assistance and Technical Education Act to Support Community-Based Health Organizations

May 11, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement after introducing the Grant Assistance and Technical Education (GATE) Act, which would provide community-based health organizations with assistance navigating the federal grantmaking process and create grant opportunities for these organizations. Community-based organizations are crucial to closing health equity gaps in communities across the country, but often lack the experience and capacity to apply for and obtain grant funding.

“Community-based organizations work to ensure everyone, specifically the most marginalized members of our communities, have access to quality health care and important public health information. Our nation’s public health system relies on these organizations, and we should do everything we can to ensure they have the resources they need to continue and expand on their important work,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash). “That’s why I’m reintroducing the GATE Act, which would help community-based organizations access federal funding and create more grants for these organizations. This legislation will enable community-based organizations to connect more individuals and families to vital services and further reduce health care disparities in Washington’s Ninth and across the country.” 

Background

The GATE Act would:

  • Create the position of Outreach Coordinator in the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services to focus on assisting community-based organizations navigating the federal grantmaking process; and
  • Provide grants to state and local public health entities for the specific purpose of directing those funds to build capacity in local community-based organizations focused on addressing health inequities. Funneling funding through state and local public health entities will help reduce the burden on community-based organizations of applying for funding directly to the federal government.

The GATE Act is endorsed by Somali Health Board and Refugees Northwest Counseling.

A fact sheet of the GATE Act can be found here. The bill text can be found here.

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Rep. Smith Statement on House Republicans’ Extreme and Inhumane Immigration Bill

May 11, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement regarding H.R. 2, the House Republican bill on immigration.

“I want to find meaningful solutions to our broken immigration system, but the House Republicans’ bill is not the answer. H.R. 2 would destroy our asylum system, restart construction on an expensive and ineffective border wall, and drastically expand the detention of children and families.

“We all want a secure border. To do that, we need to improve technology at our border and invest in ports of entry. However, H.R. 2 creates more bottlenecks and hinders Customs and Border Protection’s ability to process asylum claims at ports of entry. We also need to crack down on illegal actions of cartels and the smuggling of drugs into the United States. H.R. 2 does nothing to stem the dangerous and deadly flow of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine into our communities, the overwhelming majority of which comes to the U.S. through ports of entry. 

“House Democrats want real solutions, which is why we passed a budget that would increase funding for personnel and technology, reduce the processing backlogs, and fund alternatives to detention that are proven to work. We urgently need comprehensive reform to fix our immigration system and tackle the humanitarian crisis at the southern border. This includes addressing the root causes of migration and passing legislation to expand legal immigration pathways, reform our asylum laws and immigration detention system, and finally give DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship. 

“Fixing our broken immigration system is long overdue, and House Republicans have continuously blocked solutions by refusing to work in a bipartisan manner towards common-sense legislation. I believe we can find bipartisan solutions to our immigration crisis, but H.R. 2 is not the answer.”

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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Community Leaders and Organizations Celebrate FY 2024 Community Project Funding Requests

May 2, 2023

SEATTLE, WA – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) recently announced the 15 Community Project Funding Requests he submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill.
 
Local leaders and organizations are celebrating the announcement as an important step forward for the realization of these projects, which will make investments across the Ninth District in mental and behavioral health care, affordable housing, public transportation, criminal justice, public safety, education, technology, small business, local economy, and more.
 
See below for statements of support from local leaders, organizations, and governments.

Africatown Community Land Trust – Walker Street Homes
 
“We are pleased to be one of the projects selected to be given funding by the office of Congressman Smith. When completed, this project will create much needed affordable homeownership opportunities in the Central District of Seattle's historically African American community. This community has faced gentrification and development pressures over the past decade that have displaced the community's homeowners. When completed this project will create 24 two-bedroom condos that will create not only new homeowners, but it will result in generational wealth building in a community that has faced redlining and other economic impediments to ownership.” – Muammar Hermanstyne, Africatown Community Land Trust

Cham Refugees Community – Cham Community Center
 
“These funds will go towards the development of the Cham Community Center. The urgent need of this facility will help the Cham Refugee Community (CRC) fight displacement and will also enable them to thrive in place. The Chams are an ethnic minority and due to cultural and language barriers, they are unable to fully access services from other communities. CRC is the only organization nationwide that can provide holistic services, support and programs that are culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate to this underserved community. Through Congressman Adam Smith’s support, CRC will remain a vital cultural anchor in the Rainier Valley as they have been for the last 3 decades. This new facility will be a hub from where CRC will continue providing holistic services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to the Cham community and other underserved communities of refugees, immigrants, and low-income communities of color. CRC is grateful for Congressman Adam Smith’s staunch support for the Ninth District and securing much needed funds to communities and projects that make the Ninth beautiful and a wonderful place for all.” – Cham Refugees Community (CRC)
 
City of Bellevue – Digital Equity for Affordable Housing
 
“Access to high-speed internet connectivity from home is an essential part of bridging long-standing gaps in equity. This community project funding through Congressman Smith’s office will help Bellevue begin to realize our vision of providing free high-speed internet access in all of our affordable housing. Ensuring equitable access to free high speed internet as a built-in service is a key step to creating a city where all residents have easy access to the digital economy.” – Mayor Lynne Robinson, City of Bellevue
 
City of Renton – Monroe Avenue Northeast (NE) Stormwater Quality Treatment and Infiltration Facility  
 
“We are honored that Congressman Smith is putting forward a $2.5 million request from the City of Renton for the Monroe Avenue NE Stormwater Infiltration Project. This critical project has water quality and flood risk reduction benefits and will help contribute to overall salmon recovery efforts in our region. We hope Congressional appropriators will fund this project and thank Congressman Smith for his work and leadership.” – Mayor Armondo Pavone, City of Renton
 
Filipino Community of Seattle – Filipino Community Village 2
 
“Congressman Adam Smith has all the qualities of an effective leader. He goes out to the community to learn about their needs and work to help support it. He is well connected to the people of his community. We are thrilled that funding for the Filipino Community Village has been submitted for consideration in the FY 2024 appropriations bill.” – Agnes Navarro, Executive Director, Filipino Community of Seattle

 
Submitting projects to the House Appropriations Committee is the first step in the process and does not guarantee they will be funded.  Find more information about the FY 2024 Community Project Funding requests here.

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