Long-term careproviders are enthusiastically backing legislation to increase the ranks offoreign-educated nurses. A House committee recently approved the EmergencyNursing Supply Relief Act (H.R. 5924). The legislation would set aside 20,000employment-based visas per year during the next three years for foreign nursesand physical therapists. Proponents hope that an influx of foreign-educatednurses will help ease staffing pressures facing many nursing homes. Given theforecasts for future nursing shortages and increased service demands, thelegislation couldn’t come at a better time.