The House of Representatives has passed a bill by voice vote authorizing a five year extension of the Conrad 30 J-1 physician waiver program as well as a doubling of FLEX slots to 10 per state from the current five. The Senate then needs to pass a bill and to the extent there are differences, the two must agree and then re-vote on the compromise language.
This is good news for doctors and the communities they serve, but it's also a hopeful sign that immigration legislation can, in fact, move in Congress.
George Chell reporting from Singapore. We better get moving or we will end up with Singapore taking the doctors..we are facing severe competition now from countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.
Posted by: George Chell | May 25, 2008 at 06:39 PM
As far as I know, there are no immigration provisions left.
Posted by: Greg Siskind | May 23, 2008 at 06:46 AM
greg did the nurse amendment pass with the iraq app. bill? any idea?
Posted by: | May 22, 2008 at 10:47 PM
"While I'm hopeful Senator Kennedy will get some good news.......Senator Kennedy's dream of passing immigration reform legislation"
The Washington Post is reporting on the same news as well:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/22/mccain_resumes_talk_of_compreh.html?hpid=topnews
It is fairly obvious that either Obama or McCain, with the help of expanded Democratic majorities (several hard core Republicans that I know are planning on voting for Obama) in the House & Senate, will be successful in finally passing CIR.
My hope is that Senator Kennedy will again be the floor manager for the new CIR bill. Where appropriate it is my intention to make a reference to Senator Kennedy in my future posts.
Posted by: USC | May 22, 2008 at 09:58 PM
While I'm hopeful Senator Kennedy will get some good news, it's worth remembering that the Senator's older brother John failed to pass civil rights legislation, one of the key items in President Kennedy's legislative agenda. His death was credited with helping to persuade many in Congress to put aside petty politics and do the right thing. Perhaps the sobering news regarding Ted Kennedy will have the same effect on an Senator Kennedy's dream of passing immigration reform legislation.
Posted by: Greg Siskind | May 22, 2008 at 08:24 PM
McCain expresses his support for CIR. Note the reference to Senator Kennedy, who is truly a class act.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/mccain-says-immigration-reform-should-be-top-priority/
Posted by: USC | May 22, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Why can't any bill for RNs be attached? Why is there such a retrogression when it comes to RNs? What is going on???
Posted by: mart. | May 22, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Well, there has been some recent progress on this. I'm trying to learn more.
Posted by: Greg Siskind | May 22, 2008 at 06:51 AM
When is the good news coming for RN's/PT's? Any predictions, Greg.
Posted by: matts | May 22, 2008 at 06:45 AM