summary
Introduced
03/28/2019
03/28/2019
In Committee
03/28/2019
03/28/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
A bill to provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities, and for other purposes. This bill modifies the Conrad 30 Waiver program, which incentivizes qualified foreign physicians to serve in underserved communities. It also extends statutory authority for the program through FY2021. Aliens coming to the United States under a J-1 nonimmigrant visa to receive medical training typically must leave the country and reside for two years abroad before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence. The Conrad program waives this requirement for individuals who meet certain qualifications, including serving for a number of years at a health care facility in an underserved area. The bill increases the number of waivers that a state may obtain each fiscal year from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year, and provides for further adjustments depending on demand. An alien physician may be employed at an academic medical center to meet the Conrad program's employment requirements if the alien's work is in the public interest, even if the medical center is not in an underserved area. Employment contracts for alien physicians under the Conrad program shall contain certain information, such as the maximum number of on-call hours per week the physician shall have to work. Certain alien physicians (along with the physician's spouse and children) shall be exempt from the direct annual numerical limits on immigration, including those physicians that have met certain requirements related to visas for physicians to serve in underserved areas.
AI Summary
This bill, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, aims to provide incentives for physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities. The key provisions include:
1. Extending the statutory authority for the Conrad 30 Waiver program, which allows qualified foreign physicians to serve in underserved areas, through fiscal year 2021.
2. Increasing the number of waivers a state can obtain each year from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year, with further adjustments depending on demand.
3. Allowing alien physicians to be employed at academic medical centers, even if the center is not in an underserved area, as long as the work is deemed in the public interest.
4. Establishing requirements for employment contracts for alien physicians under the Conrad program, such as maximum on-call hours and information about malpractice insurance.
5. Providing exceptions to the 3-year work requirement in certain situations, such as if the employer violates the employment agreement or labor laws.
6. Allowing for recapturing of waiver slots if a physician terminates employment and accepts a new position in a different state.
The bill also includes various provisions related to visa procedures and definitions for physician immigration, such as clarifying the "dual intent" rule for physicians seeking graduate medical training and modifying the national interest waiver requirements.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (18)
Amy Klobuchar (D)*,
Tammy Baldwin (D),
Roy Blunt (R),
Shelley Moore Capito (R),
Tom Carper (D),
Susan Collins (R),
Chris Coons (D),
Kevin Cramer (R),
Joni Ernst (R),
Angus King (I),
Jeff Merkley (D),
Jerry Moran (R),
Rand Paul (R),
Jacky Rosen (D),
Tina Smith (D),
John Thune (R),
Roger Wicker (R),
Ron Wyden (D),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (on 03/28/2019)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/948/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s948/BILLS-116s948is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/s948/BILLS-116s948is.pdf.pdf |
Loading...