Bill > S709

This bill provides several incentives and protections for foreign physicians practicing in rural and medically underserved communities in the United States. The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act extends the existing Conrad State 30 Program, which allows foreign physicians to obtain a waiver from the two-year home residency requirement in exchange for working in areas with healthcare professional shortages. The bill increases the number of waivers available to states from 30 to 35, with potential further increases if 90% of previous waivers were used. It offers new employment protections for physicians, such as allowing them to change employers within 120 days if their current employment terminates, and provides more flexibility for physicians working in academic medical centers. The legislation also clarifies immigration procedures for physicians, including allowing dual intent for those seeking graduate medical training, extending work authorization for physicians completing residencies, and removing two-year home residency requirements for spouses and children of exchange visitors. Additionally, the bill requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number of physicians admitted under the program, broken down by state, to improve transparency and tracking of this immigration pathway for healthcare professionals.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/709/all-info