Congress is back in session after a two week recess with attention turning to a potential reconciliation bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, and activity on the FY 2027 budget in full swing. As we celebrate Physician and Provider Recruitment Week, we want to take a moment to thank you for your hard work and dedication to upholding patient access.

Update on $100,000 H-1B Fee Impact on Healthcare Sector 

AAPPR joined over 40 national medical associations and patient advocacy groups this month as cosigners of a coalition letter in support of H.R. 7961, the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act. The bipartisan legislation is in response to the Trump Administration’s September 2025 proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on each new H-1B visa application, which is disproportionately harming the healthcare industry.

The H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act would exempt physicians and other health professionals from the new $100,000 H-1B fee, ensuring employers can continue to fill critical access gaps. The legislation drew international attention, from the New York Times to the Times of India, highlighting the urgency around this issue. AAPPR thanks Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) for their leadership on this issue.

New Locum Tenens Legislation 

New legislation impacting locum tenens was just introduced in the House.  H.R. 8347, the “Reinforcing Underserved, Rural, and Local Healthcare Act” (the “RURAL Healthcare Act”), would create a clear federal rule that certain temporary locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners (meeting conditions including a written contract and a limit of no more than one continuous year at a single site) are treated as independent contractors, not employees, under federal pay-and-overtime laws and federal labor/union rules.

This proposal follows the “Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act” approach, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code to clarify that qualifying locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners are treated as independent contractors for federal tax purposes.

Taken together, the bills aim to provide clearer federal rules for when locum tenens clinicians can be treated as independent contractors.

Closing Word

AAPPR continues to partner with stakeholders across our federal priorities and will be sharing more resources on AAPPR’s website in the coming weeks. Be sure to take a look and let us know if you have any questions!