In a letter Aug. 1 to House and Senate sponsors, the AHA and 48 other national associations voiced strong support for the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4942/S. 665), bipartisan legislation that would extend for three years the Conrad State 30 program, which allows states to request J-1 visa waivers for foreign physicians to work in federally designated shortage and underserved areas. The bill also would increase state allocations from 30 to 35 physicians per year; and provide flexibility to expand the number of waivers in states where demand exceeds that limit. Without congressional action, the program will expire Oct. 1.
 
“Thankfully, for nearly three decades the Conrad 30 waiver program has helped Americans in rural and underserved areas receive medical care from more than 15,000 high-quality international medical graduate physicians in their local communities,” the letter notes. “…Reauthorizing and strengthening this program is one of many policy solutions to curtail the ongoing medical provider workforce challenges across the country and we look forward to working with you to see this important legislation enacted.”
 
The bill was reintroduced in the House last week and the Senate in March.

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate Appropriations Committee July 31 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,…
Headline
The AHA’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship July 29 announced its 36 fellows for the class of 2026, who will each work with mentors to address a specific…
Chairperson's File
Public
The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring big changes to health care. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack joined me for a Leadership Dialogue…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 17 issued two letters to states regarding policies on continuous eligibility and workforce initiatives.…
Headline
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health today held a hearing to discuss legislative proposals on health care, including two AHA-supported bills…
Chairperson's File
Public
This month Congress enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a sweeping package that contained many of President Trump’s legislative priorities on taxes,…