Rise Together’s Post

View organization page for Rise Together, graphic

163 followers

As the United States navigates the challenges of an aging population and strains on vital social programs like Social Security and Medicare, the need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent. At the heart of these challenges lies a critical shortage of direct care workers—certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides—who are essential to supporting our elderly population. By 2040, the ratio of working-age adults to seniors will drop significantly. To address this, immigration policy reforms are essential. Immigrants bring vitality to our workforce, contributing their skills and energy to sectors where demand is highest. The Brookings Institution proposes 4 key pillars for change. Pillar 1: Pathways for Direct Care Workers -Introduce the H-1D visa, a dual-intent visa for direct care workers, supporting their journey towards permanent residency. -Include direct care workers in the Department of Labor's Schedule A "shortage occupation" list to streamline the immigration process. Pillar 2: Increasing Immigration Caps -Propose a 50% increase in permanent employment-based migration caps, with annual incremental adjustments to meet future workforce needs. Pillar 3: Addressing Current System Flaws -Advocate for reforms like those in the bipartisan Dignity Act, which streamline pathways to legal status for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status holders. Pillar 4: Adequate Funding for Immigration Infrastructure -Invest in improving processing times and reducing backlogs within the immigration bureaucracy to ensure efficient implementation of these reforms https://lnkd.in/e7T83Sas #transformationtuesday

How immigration reforms could bolster Social Security and Medicare solvency and address direct care workforce issues | Brookings

How immigration reforms could bolster Social Security and Medicare solvency and address direct care workforce issues | Brookings

https://www.brookings.edu

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics