The American Medical Association and more than 50 partner medical societies have urged the Department of Homeland Security to exempt physicians from President Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee. Leaders caution that the rule could undermine healthcare access nationwide, especially in underserved rural regions already confronting severe doctor shortages.
Medical Groups Raise Alarm
The American Medical Association (AMA), along with 53 medical societies, issued a letter Thursday urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately exempt doctors, residents, and fellows from the newly announced H-1B visa fee. They argued that physicians remain essential to sustaining a reliable and accessible U.S. healthcare system.
The organizations stressed that the $100,000 fee could become an insurmountable barrier for international doctors, many of whom serve in critical roles across the country. The AMA added that it is ready to collaborate with the administration to protect patient access to care during a period of mounting workforce shortages.
Trump Administration’s H-1B Fee Policy
President Trump unveiled the $100,000 H-1B application fee as part of his broader immigration agenda aimed at reducing dependence on foreign labor. The move comes on the heels of new restrictions on employment-based visas. It has sparked industries that rely significantly on foreign talent.
The H-1B program enables American businesses to employ foreign professionals in highly technical fields, such as technology, engineering, medicine, and higher education. In medicine, the program is crucial for hospitals and clinics in recruiting to fill staff gaps, most importantly in areas that cannot attract enough U.S.-trained physicians.
Physicians in Underserved Areas
Statistics indicate the importance of foreign doctors to the United States’ healthcare system. In 2021, nearly 64% of foreign-trained physicians worked in medically underserved or shortage areas, and almost 46% worked in rural areas.
Medical associations argue that a $100,000 fee would create a financial barrier, limiting the number of physicians who can enter the communities that need them most. With the U.S. expected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, healthcare leaders warn that this rule could exacerbate patient access issues.
Letter to Homeland Security
In their joint letter, the AMA and its partner groups requested that DHS recognize the entry of physicians under the H-1B program as a matter of national interest. They urged categorical exemptions for doctors, emphasizing their importance in sustaining hospitals and improving patient outcomes.
The signatories noted that international medical graduates frequently train in U.S. residency programs and subsequently take jobs in rural or low-income areas. They warned that without relief from the new fee; these doctors may not be able to continue their work. This could harm communities that need help the most.
Hospitals and health systems across the country have raised these issues. They warned that the new cost might discourage them from hiring international physicians. Certain healthcare executives stated that the business is already facing critical staffing shortages, which have been compounded by pandemic burnout, as well as increased demand for services.
Policy experts believe that the administration may face legal or political challenges, especially if this move results in a delay in treatment.
While the Trump administration argues that the fee must be imposed to protect American workers, doctors’ associations believe that access to healthcare must be an exception to national interest.
A Look Ahead
The AMA’s official request for a response has yet to be addressed by the Department of Homeland Security. Healthcare executives warn that the implications would be dire if the rule were to remain in place. Rural hospitals, rural populations, and millions of patients may have even less access to care.
ImmigrationQuestion.com will also closely monitor the debate as legislators weigh immigration restrictions against the urgent need for medical doctors.
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