Joint Letter to the Maryland Congressional Delegation on Nursing Visas

MNA President Dr. Christie Simon-Waterman and the Maryland Hospital Association Vice President of Government Affairs sent a letter to the Maryland Congressional Delegation addressing the caps on visas granted by the State Department for internationally educated nurses. The Maryland Congressional Delegation is asked for their support at this critical juncture when Maryland needs highly trained nurses to support its health care workforce. Despite making some progress, the federal cap on visas effectively worsens the hospital workforce crisis in Maryland. Without the ability to recruit and hire international nurses, our hospitals will continue to struggle with high vacancy rates, which impacts access to care and the long-term retention of health care workers. The letter is attached.