The American College of Radiology (ACR) has highlighted legislation before the 119th Congress that proposes to extend a physician workforce program.
H.R. 1585 and companion bill S. 709 aim to address ongoing physician shortages and strengthening the healthcare workforce in areas where it is needed most, ACR said in its March 7 bulletin.
The introduced legislation addresses the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, the college added, and would extend authorization of the program for three years, as well as create a process to gradually increase the total number of waivers beyond 30 per state.
The ACR noted that the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act was originally created in 1994 to give states the ability to waive the requirement that foreign medical graduates must return to their home country for two years after they complete their training in the U.S. To qualify, the physicians must agree to practice in a medically underserved area for at least three years following completion of their residency.
Similar bills have been introduced in the past to modify the Conrad 30 Waiver program, that address increasing the number of waivers states may obtain, employment at academic medical centers, and exemptions from certain limits on immigration.
The newest bills are to provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities, and for other purposes. Keep up with H.R. 1585 here and companion bill S. 709 here.