The condition of the surrounding area imperils the ability of these hospitals to recruit and maintain an adequate nursing staff. These circumstances have pushed some hospitals into a financial crisis. threatening the quality of healthcare to those most in need. For the past eight years. this problem has been addressed by the H(1)(a) visa program which has allowed these hospitals to hire nonimmigrant nurses. Unfortunately. the H(1)(a) visa program sunset in 1997. and so once again such hospitals are in crisis. By replacing the H(l)(a) visa. the Nursing Relief Act will alleviate this crisis. The true beneficiary of this program will not be the hospitals. but the underprivileged communities which rely on the hospitals services. Let me tell you a story about the role that this program can play in the health of a community.