The nation’s largest long-term care association supports a newly crafted immigration bill that would call for a guest worker program – for the most part.

“It is an undeniable fact that many of the jobs being created by America’s economy are jobs American citizens simply are not filling – in fact, jobs no one is filling,” said Bruce Yarwood, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living.

Senators this week began debate on the bill, which Senate leaders and two Bush cabinet secretaries agreed on last week. The controversial measure would offer legal status to most of the 12 million illegal immigrants, strengthen security at the border and offer a temporary work force of skilled and unskilled workers for employers in the future. Yarwood said he would like the legislation to address long-term care and the nursing shortage specifically.