Introduction

The American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment (AAIHR) is a Delaware not-for-profit corporation. The association was formed to represent the interests of US based international healthcare recruitment service providers and to promote legal, ethical, and professional practices for international healthcare recruitment.

Our Mission

The mission of AAIHR is:
•  To ensure quality and competency in the recruitment of internationally trained professionals to
    supplement the American healthcare workforce.
•  To encourage ethical business practices in international recruitment.
•  To create and foster public awareness on our industry’s positive impact on healthcare in the
    United States.

Governmental Affairs

Those of us who have been in this industry since the 1990’s understand the on-going regulatory issues that challenge our industry. The number one regulatory issue for AAIHR in 2008 is visa retrogression relief for internationally educated healthcare professionals. To this end, the Association, in partnership with the Coalition of International Healthcare Staffing (CTIHS), has developed a comprehensive plan to pursue appropriate legislation to provide visa retrogression relief on both a short-term and long-term basis. CTIHS, with funding support from AAIHR and its member organizations, has hired two prominent lobbying organizations with credibility with both houses of Congress. The financial arrangements with these organizations consist of a monthly retainer and a success fee.

2008 Governmental Affairs Objectives include:
•  Immigration reform to allow for the ease of migration of foreign educated healthcare professions to US in
   ample numbers
•  Consistency in visa petition processing rules and regulations at the CIS and State Department agencies
•  Promotion of ethical recruitment practices and treatment of foreign educated healthcare professionals
•  Presentation of a unified voice based on fact and experience to federal, state and other relevant agencies
   that process foreign educated healthcare professional licensure and immigration applications
•  Increased public awareness of the positive impact of foreign educated healthcare professions practicing
   in the US
•  Advocate for credentialing regulations for foreign educated healthcare professions
•  Increase access and ease of access to credentialing agencies approved by immigration law and state
   licensure agencies