Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)
Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to help internationally educated health care professionals enter the United States workforce. These grants support projects that help these professionals integrate into and expand the health care workforce. Eligible entities can use funds for system-level improvements, such as creating career ladders, or individual-level supports like licensing assistance. Priority is given to projects that serve communities with workforce gaps or rural areas. The Act also establishes specific reporting requirements for grant recipients and the Secretary.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill provides direct career support, licensing assistance, and English language training for internationally educated professionals.
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill aims to address health care workforce shortages in underserved and rural communities.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill gives priority to projects that support the recruitment and retention of professionals in rural communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Workforce Expansion and Integration: The bill provides grants to help internationally educated healths care professionals integrate into and expand the health care workforce (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1).
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Support for Underserved Communities: The Secretary is directed to give priority to projects that support recruitment and retention in communities experiencing gaps in their existing workforce or in rural communities (Section 2, subsection c).
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Career Advancement Opportunities: Funds can be used for system-level improvements such as developing career ladders, leadership development, and funding continuing education, examinations, and licensing costs (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1, subparagraph B).
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Individualized Professional Support: The bill allows for individual-level improvements such as support for the licensing process, English as a second language courses, and assistance in obtaining overseas academic or training records (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1, subparagraph C).
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Financial and Employment Stability: Grants can fund individualized supportive services for professionals, which may include support for living expenses, health care, or transportation (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1, subparagraph C, clause vii).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Administrative Limitations: Eligible entities are restricted from using more than 10 percent of grant funds for costs associated with the administration of the projects (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 2).
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Strict Funding Requirements: Each eligible entity is required to use at least 20 percent of the grant funds specifically for system-level improvement projects (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 3).
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Funding Restrictions: Grant funds must be used only to supplement, and not supplant, existing funds used to address the recruitment, training, and advancement of these professionals (Section 2, subsection e).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill provides direct career support, licensing assistance, and English language training for internationally educated professionals. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill gives priority to projects that support the recruitment and retention of professionals in rural communities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increasing the health care workforce can improve the availability of services in communities with high needs. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill's focus on integrating internationally educated professionals may benefit diverse populations.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill aims to address health care workforce shortages in underserved and rural communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides grants to help internationally educated health care professionals integrate into and expand the workforce.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill supports the professional integration of individuals who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence, refugees, or those granted asylum.
- 7/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington