AHA-supported bill to extend access to physicians reintroduced

A bipartisan group of senators and representatives this week reintroduced AHA-supported legislation to improve and extend the Conrad State 30 program, which allows states to request J-1 visa waivers for up to 30 foreign physicians per year to work in federally designated shortage and underserved areas. The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act would extend the program for three additional years, increase state allocations to 35 physicians per year and provide flexibility to expand the number of waivers in states where demand exceeds that limit.

“The latest extension of the Conrad State 30 Program will expire later this year, which is why we urge action to extend this critical program,” said AHA Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes. “Without timely reauthorization, patient access to care in the many communities that have benefited from these physicians may be threatened. We also support the program improvements contained in the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act as part of this extension and stand ready to work with you and your colleagues to move this legislation forward.”

Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced the legislation in the Senate and Reps. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., and David McKinley, R-W.Va., in the House.