The American Hospital Association has written a letter supporting S.1979, a bill which permanently reauthorizes the Conrad J-1 waiver program and would open it up to H-1B doctors who would be able to get exemption from the H-1B cap in exchange for working in underserved communities. From the AHA’s daily email alert:
The AHA today urged swift enactment of the Conrad State 30 Improvement Act (S. 1979), legislation that would improve the J-1 visa waiver program and make it permanent. Set to expire June 1, the program allows state health departments to request J-1 visa waivers for up to 30 foreign physicians per year to work in federally designated Health Professions Shortage Areas or Medically Underserved Areas. The legislation would allow states to receive more than 30 waivers per year if necessary, and provide incentives for physicians who receive their training on an H-1B visa to participate. It also would clarify standards for organizations employing Conrad physicians. “Without immediate and timely reauthorization, many of our communities that have benefited from a Conrad State 30 physician may find themselves without access to physician services,” AHA said in a letter of support for the legislation to Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), the bill’s sponsor.