H.R. 10708 – Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act of 2026

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Updated October 7, 2026 at 4:23 AM UTC

The Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act of 2026 lets the Health and Human Services Secretary give grants to help certain immigrants become nurses or allied‑health workers. Grants can go to state, local, tribal or private groups and may cover education, licensing, living expenses, English classes, and credential verification. The bill also changes the National Health Service Corps rules so eligible immigrants can serve in the Corps and receive its scholarships or loan‑repayment benefits.

Key Provisions

Allows HHS to award grants to state, local, tribal governments and private organizations to reduce barriers for lawfully permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and other authorized immigrants seeking nursing or allied‑health careers.
Grant funds may be used for tuition or training costs, licensing and exam fees, living stipends while studying, English‑as‑a‑second‑language classes, and assistance with obtaining foreign academic or training records.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to let these immigrants serve in the National Health Service Corps and participate in its scholarship and loan‑repayment programs, overriding any citizenship requirement.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 1, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 1, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 1, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 1, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10708

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 1, 2026

Mr. Smith of Washington (for himself and Mr. Krishnamoorthi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to reduce barriers to immigrants becoming nurses or allied health professionals in the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Immigrants in Nursing and Allied Health Act of 2026.

2.

Grants to reduce barriers to immigrants becoming nurses or allied health professionals

Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 755 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 294e) the following:

755A.

Grants to reduce barriers to immigrants becoming nurses or allied health professionals

(a)

In general

The Secretary may award grants to State, local, and Tribal governments and private organizations to reduce barriers to becoming nurses or allied health professionals in the United States for individuals who are—

(1)

lawfully admitted for permanent residence;

(2)

admitted as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act;

(3)

granted asylum under section 208 of such Act; or

(4)

an immigrant otherwise authorized to be employed in the United States.

(b)

Use of funds

A State, local, or Tribal government receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant to reduce barriers described in subsection (a), which may include—

(1)

paying the costs of—

(A)

education or training to become a nurse or allied health professional; and

(B)

licensing or certification, including the costs of preparing for and taking any examination applicable to the nursing or allied health profession selected by the individual;

(2)

providing a living stipend to individuals studying for such examination;

(3)

providing classes in English as a second language; and

(4)

assisting in obtaining overseas academic or training records.

.

3.

Eligibility of certain immigrants to serve in National Health Service Corps

Section 331 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (i) the following:

(j)

Service by immigrants

Notwithstanding any provision of law that would otherwise require a member of the National Health Service Corps to be a United States citizen or national, an individual described in section 755A(a) may be eligible—

(1)

to serve in the National Health Service Corps; and

(2)

to participate in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program under section 338A or the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program under section 338B.

.