WASHINGTON – Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) to introduce the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act of 2023. The legislation reauthorizes and modifies the Conrad 30 Program, which allows foreign doctors studying in the United States to obtain a visa following medical residency if they practice in a medically-underserved area for at least three years.

“Rural communities like many throughout the Central Valley too often lack basic and necessary healthcare services, forcing people to drive long distances for routine medical treatments or forego care altogether,” said Congressman Valadao. “Programs like Conrad 30 are a critical part of correcting this problem by helping bring qualified physicians into rural and medically underserved areas across the country. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act to fill this critical need for our underserved communities.”

"The American medical education system attracts top international talent and produces the best-trained graduates in the world," said Congressman Schneider. "It is irrational and irresponsible to force these highly-skilled new doctors out of the country at a time when many of our communities struggle to meet the demand for qualified physicians. Extending the Conrad 30 visa waiver program is a commonsense step that both parties can support to help more Americans have access to quality health care practitioners in their communities."

Background:

Created in 1994 and named after former Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), the Conrad 30 program has brought more than 15,000 physicians who completed their residency in the United States to rural, inner city, and other medically underserved communities. Every state has utilized the Conrad 30 program since its inception.

This legislation extends authorization for the program for three years. In addition, the legislation:

·     Create a process to gradually increase the total number of waivers per state

·     Require additional transparency in employment contract terms

·     Permit greater immigration flexibilities for spouses and children of participating physicians; and

·     Require an annual report from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to the Department of Health and Human Services on the annual utilization of the waivers in hopes of better informing rural states about how to make full use of the program.