Rep. Schneider Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Address Physician Shortage

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced bipartisan legislation to help increase the number of doctors available to work in medically-underserved communities.

H.R. 3541, the Conrad State 30 & Physician Access Act, would extend and expand the Conrad 30 Waiver program which allows foreign doctors studying in the United States to obtain a visa following medical residency if they practice in a medically-underserved area for at least three years. Under current law, foreign doctors on J-1 educational visas must return to their home country upon completing medical residency and wait two years before they can apply for a new visa or green card.

According to estimates, the United States could face a shortage of as many as 120,000 physicians by 2030.

"The American medical education system attracts top international talent and produces the best-trained graduates in the world," said Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10). "It is irrational and irresponsible to force these highly-skilled new doctors out of the country at a time when many of our communities struggle to meet the demand for qualified physicians. Extending the Conrad 30 visa waiver program is a commonsense step that both parties can support to help more Americans have access to quality health care practitioners in their communities."

"Over the last 15 years, the Conrad 30 program has brought more than 15,000 physicians to underserved areas, filling a critical need for quality care in our rural communities – a need that was highlighted during the coronavirus pandemic," said Sen. Klobuchar. "Our bipartisan legislation would allow doctors to remain in the areas they serve, improving health care for families across the nation while retaining talent trained and educated here in the United States."

"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. Without timely reauthorization, patient access to care in the many communities that have benefited from these physicians may be threatened," said Stacey Hughes, Executive Vice President at the American Hospital Association. "We also support the program improvements contained in the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Act as part of this extension and stand ready to work with you and your colleagues to move this legislation forward."

"IHA strongly supports this legislation and applauds Rep. Schneider's leadership to ensure all Illinoisans have access to healthcare services," said Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) President & CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. "This critical program helps alleviate physician workforce shortages in Illinois by allowing doctors with J-1 visas to remain in the US and work in rural and urban underserved communities, rather than returning home for a required two-year period before applying for a green card or change in visa status. IHA looks forward to working with Congress to pass this important legislation."

"The American Medical Association strongly supports this bill that would ensure all patients, regardless of where they live, have adequate opportunities to be treated by skilled physicians in their local communities," said AMA President Susan R. Bailey, M.D. "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of rural and underserved areas having sufficient access to physicians and quality health care. Strengthening the Conrad 30 program is a vital part of making access happen."

"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. Without timely reauthorization, patient access to care in the many communities that have benefited from these physicians may be threatened," said Stacey Hughes, Executive Vice President at the American Hospital Association. "We also support the program improvements contained in the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Act as part of this extension and stand ready to work with you and your colleagues to move this legislation forward."

This legislation extends authorization for the program for three years. In addition, the legislation makes improvements to the process for obtaining a visa, bolsters important workplace protections for recipients, and provides a path to increase the number of waivers available to states beyond the current allotment of 30 waivers per state if certain requirements are met. Further, the bill also allows the spouses of doctors to work in the United States.

The Conrad State 30 & Physician Access Act has been endorsed by the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the National Rural Health Association.

A Senate version of the bill was introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Full text of the legislation is available online.