Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act Introduced

Last week, Senators Dick Durbin (IL) and Kevin Cramer (ND) re-introduced the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act. HWRA would recapture up to 40,000 previously authorized but unused visas, allocating 25,000 for nurses and 15,000 for physicians. These visas would not be subject to per-country caps and would be issued based on priority date. This bill aims to help address nursing shortages across the country and assist doctors who are already practicing in the U.S. but have been affected by the green card backlog for over a decade.

AAPPR endorsed the legislation and a quote from Chief Executive Officer Carey Goryl was included in the press release and subsequent press. You can view the press release by clicking here.

AAPPR Endorses DOCTORS Act

Last month, Senators Joni Ernst (IA) and Amy Klobuchar (MN) re-introduced the DOCTORS Act. The DOCTORS Act requires states to report their unused physician waiver slots each year. The Secretary of State will total these unused waivers and redistribute them equally among states that reached their maximum cap (30) the previous year, with the total divided by three. This process helps retain foreign physicians in the U.S. without increasing the overall number of visas.

We supported this bill because we think it would more effectively increase the total number of IMGs practicing in the U.S. via the Conrad 30 program, and are working with the sponsors of the Conrad 30 bill to include this language in the bill.

Trump Administration Proposes Changes to J-1 Visa Duration of Status

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a rule that would drastically change the way J-1 visa status is managed for physicians. Under the proposal, J-1 physicians would be admitted for a fixed period—up to the program end date or a maximum of four years—and would be required to file separate extension applications with USCIS for any additional training, transfers, or leaves, replacing the current system of automatic renewals.

For employers, this means facing new administrative and financial burdens, as well as the risk of training interruptions and disruptions to patient care due to potential processing delays. These changes are particularly concerning given that J-1 physicians already undergo extensive vetting and monitoring through their participation in accredited training programs, making the proposed additional USCIS oversight duplicative and potentially destabilizing for the healthcare workforce.

We are closely monitoring this proposal and encourage you to reach out if you or your organizations have any questions.

AAPPR Submits Comments on Proposed 2026 Medicare Reimbursement Changes

AAPPR submitted comments last week to CMS on the proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. This annual rule sets Medicare reimbursement rates for the upcoming year and makes other changes that impact health delivery, such as to telehealth and hospital services costs. Our comments emphasized the need for sustainable, inflation-adjusted physician reimbursement to address ongoing workforce shortages and ensure access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.

We also urged CMS and Congress to adopt permanent reforms that will help recruit and retain physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and safeguard the long-term stability of the Medicare program.

We will share our comments with members and also work closely with Capitol Hill offices and stakeholders to keep this issue top of mind for congressional leadership.