Bernards Hospital utilized the H1A program to maintain an adequate staffing of nurses. The HlA program was vital to St. Bernards continued existence. Prior to this program. St. Bernards hired temporary nurses. As a result. the hospitals nursing expenditures increased by approximately $2 million in an effort to provide health care to its patients in 1992. This additional cost brought St. Bernards very. very close to closing its doors. The H1A visa program expired on September 30. 1997. Currently. Mr. Speaker. as you know. no program exists that would assist hospitals such as St. Bernards in their effort to retain qualified nurses.