A bipartisan bill, if renewed, would allow international physicians to stay in the U.S. after residency on the condition that they practice in areas with physician shortages.
The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act was reintroduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Susan Collins, Jacky Rosen and Thom Tillis, according to a March 10 news release on Ms. Klobuchar's website. It would extend the Conrad 30 program by three years, simplify visa processes and expand the number of slots to the program.
"The Conrad 30 program has brought nearly 20,000 physicians to underserved areas, filling a critical need for quality healthcare in our rural communities," Ms. Klobuchar said. "Our bipartisan bill to reauthorize this program would encourage doctors to use their talents and training in underserved communities, improving healthcare for families across the nation and boosting our rural medical workforce."
International physicians are currently required to return to their home country following their residency and must wait two years before applying for another visa or green card.
The bill has been endorsed by the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, the National Rural Health Association, the Niskanen Center, the American Academy of Neurology and the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans.