Murkowski bill targets Alaska's rural health shortage with immigrant credential grants

Rural communities across Alaska that already struggle to fill provider positions could get federal grant support to move internationally trained health professionals already living and working legally in the United States into clinical roles, under legislation Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced alongside Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

The Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act targets roughly 270,000 immigrants who hold health-related degrees but are working below their training level or outside health care entirely, according to the Migration Policy Institute. It does not create a new immigration pathway. Many rural areas of Alaska qualify as Health Professional Shortage Areas under federal Health Resources and Services Administration designations, making them priority recipients under the grant criteria.

The bill would direct the Health Resources and Services Administration to fund local partnerships helping internationally educated professionals retrieve overseas academic records, navigate U.S. licensing requirements, complete prerequisite courses and continuing education training, and access English-language learning support. It also includes provisions to develop work-readiness, peer support, mentoring, and culturally competent career counseling, as well as provisions to address shortages of classroom and clinical instructors. Grants would give priority to rural communities and areas with identified workforce shortages.

"These health care professionals have found a home in Alaska and are ready and willing to answer the call to serve their communities," Murkowski said. "It is a win for everyone when we recognize their value and welcome their expertise into our nation's health care workforce."

Kaine said the bill would help internationally trained professionals already in the country enter the health care workforce at a level matching their education, skills, and experience. "One way we can do this is by making it easier for people who were trained internationally and have significant experience to enter the health care workforce," he said. The bill does not waive state licensing requirements. It funds support to help professionals meet them. Some physician and licensing groups, including the Federation of State Medical Boards, have warned that any streamlined process should not weaken patient safety protections, though the legislation is structured around navigating existing requirements rather than relaxing them.

A broad coalition of organizations has endorsed the measure, including the National Rural Health Association and the American Public Health Association. The bill now awaits action in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, where both senators serve.