H.R. 1585 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, Feb 25, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands program bringing foreign doctors to underserved areas
The Conrad 30 Waiver program helps foreign-trained physicians come to the U.S. to work in communities that don't have enough doctors. Normally, these doctors have to leave the country for two years before they can become permanent residents, but this program waives that requirement if they serve in underserved areas. The bill increases the number of waivers available to each state each year and allows some doctors to work at academic medical centers instead of only in underserved areas, plus it sets clearer rules about work schedules and contract terms.
How it affects you
If you live in a rural or underserved community, this bill may help bring more doctors to your area by making it easier for foreign-trained physicians to stay and practice medicine there. People interested in working as physicians under this program will have clearer employment rules and the possibility of more opportunities as the program expands.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 25, 2025)
Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act
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 for three years from this bill's enactment.
Individuals 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.
A physician may be employed at an academic medical center to meet the Conrad program's employment requirements if the physician's work is in the public interest, even if the medical center is not in an underserved area.
Employment contracts for 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 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1585
A BILL
Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act
Sponsor: Rep. David G. Valadao (R-CA-22) · Introduced Feb 25, 2025 · Immigration · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 25, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 7
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Conrad State 30 programNo change
- Sec. 3Retaining physicians who have practiced in medically underserved communitiesNo change
- Sec. 4Employment protections for physiciansNo change
- Sec. 5Allotment of Conrad 30 waiversNo change
- Sec. 6Amendments to the procedures, definitions, and other provisions related to physician immigrationNo change
- Sec. 7Annual Conrad State 30 J–1 Visa Waiver Program statistical reportNo change