Conrad 30 Physician Workforce Optimization Act

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.