Four federal lawmakers introduced a bill March 17 aimed at excusing physicians and other healthcare workers from a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.
The bill comes after months of advocacy from hospitals and national healthcare organizations, which have said the new $100,000 fee — which took effect Sept. 21 — could hinder the U.S. healthcare workforce. The federal H-1B program is for employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign professionals through temporary work visas, which includes healthcare and other industries. Employers previously paid about $3,500 per application.
In December, 20 states filed a lawsuit against the White House over the increased fee, alleging President Donald Trump’s executive order violated the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. The order said abuse in the federal program has replaced “American workers with lower-paid, lower-skilled labor.” On March 9, the Trump administration filed a motion for summary judgment on the lawsuit.
Many leaders in the healthcare industry are closely watching for developments on H-1B visas, as immigrants account for 27% of physicians and surgeons, 22% of nursing assistants and 16% of registered nurses in the U.S.
Although the Trump administration has floated the idea of exempting physicians and medical residents from the new application fee, no changes have been announced. Many teaching hospitals have crafted contingency plans, which include limiting their class of sponsored residents, hiring more physician assistants and reconsidering applicants who require H-1B sponsorship.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., introduced the bill, titled “H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act,” alongside Reps. Sanford Bishop Jr., D-Ga., Maria Elviar Salazar, R-Fla., and Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y.
If passed, the bill would exempt healthcare workers from the $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa petitions and prohibit additional fees beyond what is established under existing immigration law.
The American Medical Association applauded the bill, adding the current $100,000 fee “adds significant costs for hospitals and private practices, making it more difficult to hire physicians and other healthcare professionals. The added cost will worsen shortages, increase wait times and force patients to travel farther for care.”
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