Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act
Latest action (16 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
**S. 5012 — Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act**
This bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants supporting internationally educated health care professionals in joining and advancing within the U.S. health care workforce. Grants would go to eligible entities—consortiums of at least two organizations such as hospitals, nonprofits, colleges, area health education centers, government or tribal bodies, or community health centers—which could use the funds for both system-level projects (like mentoring networks, employer education, and career-ladder programs) and individual-level support (such as licensing assistance, English-language and exam preparation, career counseling, and help obtaining foreign academic records). At least 20% of grant funds would go toward system-level projects, and no more than 10% could cover administrative costs.
The bill primarily affects internationally trained health professionals who are lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or otherwise authorized to work in the U.S., as well as the hospitals, health systems, and educational institutions that would apply for and administer the grants. Priority would go to entities serving communities with workforce shortages or rural areas. Grant recipients would report annually to HHS, and HHS would report to Congress starting two years after enactment.
The measure was introduced in the Senate on July 16, 2026, by Senator Tim Kaine with Senator Lisa Murkowski as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It authorizes funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, though it has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 16, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5012 do?
- **S. 5012 — Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act** This bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants supporting internationally educated health care professionals in joining and advancing within the U.S. health care workforce. Grants would go to eligible entities—consortiums of at least two organizations such as hospitals, nonprofits, colleges, area health education centers, government or tribal bodies, or community health centers—which could use the funds for both system-level projects (like mentoring networks, employer education, and career-ladder programs) and individual-level support (such as licensing assistance, English-language and exam preparation, career counseling, and help obtaining foreign academic records). At least 20% of grant funds would go toward system-level projects, and no more than 10% could cover administrative costs. The bill primarily affects internationally trained health professionals who are lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or otherwise authorized to work in the U.S., as well as the hospitals, health systems, and educational institutions that would apply for and administer the grants. Priority would go to entities serving communities with workforce shortages or rural areas. Grant recipients would report annually to HHS, and HHS would report to Congress starting two years after enactment. The measure was introduced in the Senate on July 16, 2026, by Senator Tim Kaine with Senator Lisa Murkowski as a cosponsor, and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It authorizes funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, though it has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass both chambers and be signed into law before taking effect.
- Has S. 5012 become law?
- Not yet. As of 16 Jul 2026, S. 5012 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5012?
- S. 5012 was sponsored by Sen. Timothy “Tim” Kaine [D-VA] (Democrat-VA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 5012?
- Introduced (16 Jul 2026).
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