To date, more than 365 IMGs have been granted the temporary permits and are ready to work. This model shares similarities with a temporary opportunity opened by Governor Pritzker and IDFPR Secretary Treto earlier this year allowing internationally trained physicians to work under Illinois physicians and alleviate workforce demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting task force will also review models implemented in other states and in Canada, including a model adopted in Washington state where physicians are granted restricted licenses to work under the supervision of fully licensed physicians for a period of time. Simmons, IL HB5465 passed with unanimous support in the Illinois Senate. Through her leadership, and that of senate sponsors Sen. In 2021, Representative Mah convened the Illinois Healthcare Pathways Working Group, composed of healthcare, workforce development, and immigrant services experts, to examine this issue and push for reform. Illinois is now joining several other states, including Minnesota, Washington, Massachusetts, and Colorado, who are questioning this system and piloting alternatives. Upwardly Global estimates that it generally costs immigrants who trained as doctors overseas at least $10,000 and four to five years to get relicensed in the U.S. The barriers that this group of professionals face are numerous and costly - not only for them but also for the residents of the state,” said Rebecca Neuwirth, Executive Vice President at Upwardly Global.Ĭurrently, international medical graduates (IMGs) are required to pass several steps to relicense as physicians in Illinois, including a lengthy and inaccessible residency system. “It is our hope that this task force will help expand opportunities for internationally trained health care professionals throughout the state. A recent report by Migration Policy Institute estimates that Illinois will face a shortage of 6,200 physicians and 14,000 registered nurses by 2030, while there are currently 12,000 immigrants with health or medical degrees that are underemployed or out of work - with half of these underemployed immigrants living in Cook County (67% of whom are naturalized residents or permanent residents). The demand for healthcare workers in Illinois has steadily risen over the past decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated shortages. When we uplift our immigrant communities, everybody wins.” “This legislation will help us address the healthcare workforce shortage, improve the safety of patients, and increase access to employment for internationally licensed health care professionals. “Immigrants have always been an incredible asset to our communities, and House Bill 5465 is a testament to that fact,” said Rep. The task force will investigate barriers to licensure for internationally licensed healthcare professionals in Illinois and prepare a report for the governor and general assembly outlining strategies for barrier reduction. Upwardly Global and Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah, along with more than a dozen supporting organizations, are pleased to announce the passing of IL HB5465 to create the Task Force on Internationally-Licensed Health Care Professionals.
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