State Dept. Letter from LTC Coalition (SNF/AL)

A long term care (LTC) coalition, led by AHCA/NCAL, submitted a letter to the State Department focused on the workforce crisis, and offering solutions to the Department to help address the crisis. AHCA/NCAL heard from providers that the immigrant visa processing is incredibly backlogged due to COVID-19 and reduced staffing at U.S. embassies and consulates, and many of the health care professionals with offers from U.S. LTC facilities with approved immigrant petitions have been waiting for many months, in some cases more than a year, for a visa interview appointment. 

In the letter, the coalition urges the Department of State to swiftly take a variety of measures to expedite the interview process so international nurses can enter the U.S. and help LTC providers provide quality care for the most vulnerable Americans.

Any questions on the letter can be directed to AHCA’s Dana Ritchie at [email protected].