H-1B Policy Exemption for Healthcare Workers – AHA
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Hospital Association Urges Fee Waiver for Physicians on H-1B Visas
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The American Hospital Association (AHA) is requesting exemptions from a recently implemented fee on H-1B visas for physicians, arguing the policy could exacerbate staffing shortages, especially in underserved areas. This request comes after a proclamation by former President Donald trump imposed the fee.
Background: The H-1B Visa Fee
On September 19, 2020, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation imposing a fee on new H-1B visa applications for foreign workers in high-skilled roles. the policy, which took effect on September 21, 2020, allows for case-by-case exemptions granted by the Homeland Security secretary if hiring a worker is deemed “in the national interest.”
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. These occupations typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. The program is subject to annual quotas, and demand frequently enough exceeds the number of visas available.
AHA’s Concerns and Data
in a September 29, 2020, letter to homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the AHA highlighted the meaningful role H-1B visa holders play in the healthcare system.The association noted that nearly 400,000 H-1B petitions were approved in fiscal year 2024, with 4.2% – or 16,937 – being for medicine and health occupations. Approximately half of these were for physicians and surgeons.
The AHA argues that these foreign-born physicians are crucial for maintaining adequate hospital staffing levels, especially in positions that are difficult to fill with domestic workers. According to federal data cited by Bloomberg, over 4,000 hospitals and research centers sponsored H-1B visas as of June 2020. The AHA further stated that about 17% of hospital clinicians are immigrants, with 26% of those being noncitizen immigrants.
The impact of the fee is particularly concerning for rural and underserved communities, where attracting and retaining physicians is already a challenge. Increased costs associated with visa sponsorship could further discourage hospitals in these areas from recruiting foreign-born physicians.
Top H-1B Sponsoring Hospitals
Several prominent hospitals are significant sponsors of H-1B visas. Rochester, Minn.-based mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Memphis, Tenn.-based st. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are among the nation’s top sponsors, each employing hundreds of foreign-born physicians.
| Hospital | location |
|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN |
| Cleveland Clinic | Cleveland, OH |
| St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital | Memphis,TN |
Conrad 30 Waiver Program Clarification
The AHA also requested clarification from the administration regarding whether international physicians working under the Conrad 30 Waiver Program are subject to the new fee.This program allows foreign medical graduates who agree to work in medically underserved areas for three years to waive the