As hospitals and health systems brace for financial uncertainty linked to the upcoming One Big Beautiful Bill Act, leaders are increasingly concerned about a problem that affects both patient outcomes and operational stability: delayed or skipped care. Behind this issue lie cost barriers, insurance coverage losses, and challenges in accessing services all of which can drive up long-term healthcare costs.
Recent surveys highlight just how prevalent the problem is. In July 2025, 36% of U.S. adults reported postponing or skipping needed medical treatment in the past year due to cost. Among uninsured adults under 65, that figure soared to 75%, according to KFF. Hospitals say these delays often lead to worsening conditions, higher acuity in emergency departments, more intensive interventions, and steep long-term cost curves.
Patrick Kokoruda, vice president of access transformation at Cleveland Clinic, notes that timely care is essential to preventing small concerns from becoming serious health crises. “We know that getting patients to the right provider quickly ensures the right treatment is available at the right time,” he said.
Jacob Robinson, president of Arkansas Heart Hospital, echoes this sentiment, pointing to rising operational costs and stagnant reimbursement rates. “There are hospitals in Arkansas that could see major impacts from delayed care. We’re already in a challenging financial landscape,” Robinson explained. “We have to adapt and a big part of that is making sure patients can access care when they need it.”
The Role of Healthcare Workforce Solutions in Combatting Delayed Care
For hospitals, improving patient access doesn’t just require expanded clinic hours or virtual care innovations it demands a robust and reliable clinical workforce. Unfortunately, many U.S. hospitals face a severe shortage of nurses, with rural facilities hit the hardest. This is where international nurse recruitment becomes a strategic solution.
At VisaMadeEZ, we specialize in helping healthcare organizations hire foreign nurses through tailored immigration law services designed for the healthcare industry. By partnering with hospitals to recruit highly skilled nurses from around the world, we help close staffing gaps, improve patient throughput, and ensure timely access to both preventive and urgent care.
A strong nursing workforce means:
- More rapid scheduling for screenings and preventive visits
- Expanded clinic hours and urgent care availability
- Greater capacity to detect and treat conditions early
- Reduced strain on emergency departments
International nurses bring not only the clinical expertise needed for high-quality care but also diverse cultural perspectives that strengthen patient relations and community engagement crucial for rural and underserved areas.
Real-World Strategies for Improving Access
Cleveland Clinic has launched extended specialty clinic hours, including evenings and weekends, and expanded urgent care availability. They’ve also invested in self-scheduling tools, virtual visit options, and proactive patient outreach for critical screenings such as mammograms, colorectal cancer screenings, and annual wellness checks.
Arkansas Heart Hospital has widened its reach through rural clinic models, enabling physicians, staff, and diagnostics to be available directly in local communities. In addition, the hospital is continuing its prevention-focused programs, such as its corporate heart screening initiative and intensive cardiac rehab program.
However, executing these strategies effectively requires the right number of qualified clinicians. Without enough nurses, even the best-designed outreach programs are slowed by bottlenecks in appointment availability. This is why many forward-thinking health systems are integrating international nurse recruitment into their long-term access strategies.
Prevention Over “Sick Care”: How Staffing Ties In
Robinson emphasizes aiming beyond reactive care toward prevention, education, and “prehabilitation” programs designed to prevent a first cardiac event before it ever occurs. Such initiatives work best when hospitals have a strong workforce prepared to deliver consistent preventive care.
International nurses, trained to work in diverse healthcare environments, are often well-positioned to lead community outreach, screening events, and preventive health education. By hiring through trusted immigration law firms like VisaMadeEZ, any facility from rural clinics to large academic centers can stabilize their workforce and improve long-term health outcomes.
Final Takeaway
The crisis of delayed care isn’t just a patient problem; it’s a challenge that directly impacts hospital finances, quality measures, and community health. Expanding virtual access, extending hours, and implementing preventive health programs are all integral steps but without enough nurses, these changes cannot reach full potential.
International nurse recruitment is not just a staffing solution; it’s a patient-access solution. By partnering with an experienced immigration law firm specializing in healthcare workforce solutions, hospitals can bridge staffing gaps, reduce delays in care, and meet patient needs more efficiently.
At VisaMadeEZ, we help healthcare organizations navigate the complex process of hiring skilled foreign nurses so you can focus on what truly matters: delivering care when your patients need it most.
Contact VisaMadeEZ today to learn how our immigration law for healthcare professionals expertise can help your organization meet its staffing goals and reduce delays in care.
