North Charlotte Today

Senator Thom Tillis, joined by Senators Amy Klobuchar, Susan Collins, and Jacky Rosen, has introduced the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to increase the number of doctors in rural and medically underserved areas.

"Too many rural areas in North Carolina and across the country lack the health care workforce needed to provide quality and timely care," stated Senator Tillis. "This bipartisan legislation will allow American-trained doctors to help fill those gaps so we can expand access to critical health care in medically underserved and health professional shortage areas."

The Conrad 30 program is crucial for rural and underserved communities facing physician shortages, according to Ram Alur, M.D., President of Physicians for American Healthcare Access. "However, without reforms, recruiting and retaining international medical graduates (IMGs) will become increasingly difficult," he said. The reauthorization aims to strengthen incentives for IMGs and streamline the waiver process for employers.

The proposed act would extend the Conrad 30 program for three years. It allows international doctors who have completed their residency training in the U.S. to remain if they work in areas with physician shortages. Typically, J-1 visa holders must return home after residency before applying for another visa or green card. The Conrad 30 program permits them to stay if they practice in an underserved area for three years.

The bill seeks improvements such as expanding beyond 30 slots per state under certain conditions while protecting smaller states' slots. It also includes provisions allowing spouses of doctors to work and worker protections against mistreatment. Additionally, it provides expedited green card consideration for physicians serving five years in a Veterans Affairs facility or health professional shortage area.

Endorsements have come from over 50 organizations including the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, American Academy of Neurology, Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, and Physicians for American Healthcare Access.