Legis Daily

Conrad 30 Physician Workforce Optimization Act

USA119th CongressS-4637| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
Kevin Cramer

Kevin Cramer

Republican Senator

North Dakota

Cosponsors (1)
Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Conrad 30 Physician Workforce Optimization Act" seeks to enhance the availability of medical professionals in underserved areas by modifying the J-1 visa waiver program. It increases the number of flex waivers available to each state from 10 to 15, allowing more foreign physicians to remain in the U.S. to practice medicine in designated health shortage areas. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a secondary physician match portal by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This portal will assist J-1 nonimmigrant physicians who were unable to secure a waiver in their initial state application by connecting them with states or employers that still have available waiver slots. The portal will facilitate a streamlined secondary application process, including a dedicated match period, and requires participating employers to certify their location in a health shortage area or their unsuccessful prior advertising of the position.
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Timeline
May 21, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • May 21, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Conrad 30 Physician Workforce Optimization Act

USA119th CongressS-4637| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
The "Conrad 30 Physician Workforce Optimization Act" seeks to enhance the availability of medical professionals in underserved areas by modifying the J-1 visa waiver program. It increases the number of flex waivers available to each state from 10 to 15, allowing more foreign physicians to remain in the U.S. to practice medicine in designated health shortage areas. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a secondary physician match portal by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This portal will assist J-1 nonimmigrant physicians who were unable to secure a waiver in their initial state application by connecting them with states or employers that still have available waiver slots. The portal will facilitate a streamlined secondary application process, including a dedicated match period, and requires participating employers to certify their location in a health shortage area or their unsuccessful prior advertising of the position.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 21, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • May 21, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Kevin Cramer

Kevin Cramer

Republican Senator

North Dakota

Cosponsors (1)
Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted