Washington, D.C. (2/11/2025) – Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Yvette Clarke (NY-09) reintroduced the bipartisan Doctors in Our Borders Act, which will expand the Conrad 30 program, tackling physician shortages in medical facilities across the country.
The Doctors in Our Borders Act allows states to issue 100 waivers, instead of the current 30, to foreign graduates of US medical schools on J-1 visas. This will allow these doctors to stay and practice in the US, instead of returning to their home country, provided that they work in designated underserved areas.
“This is a commonsense solution to help address physician shortages impacting communities across New York and the entire country,” said Rep. Lawler (NY-17). “By allowing more doctors trained in the United States to stay and practice here, we can strengthen our healthcare system and ensure patients get the care they need and deserve. With a projected shortfall of over 120,000 doctors in the next decade, we can’t afford to wait.”
“This bipartisan bill will help keep top medical talent in the United States and improve access to quality care in underserved areas,” Rep. Lawler concluded.
“As medical facilities in New York and across the nation continue to face staffing shortages that are leading to real harm for patients, it’s become abundantly clear a legislative solution is necessary to meet their needs and keep Americans healthy and safe. That is why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Doctors in Our Borders Act as a vital step in filling those gaps with US-educated doctors at the top of their fields. This initiative will ensure deserving, talented immigrants are recognized for their contributions and potential – securing their future in our nation and ensuring our communities will always have access to the care they need. This bill will change lives, it will save lives, and I look forward to seeing it become law,” said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09).
“This bill would address the severe physician shortage happening in areas across the country, ensuring patient access to U.S.-trained physicians immediately following their residency, and allowing many more physicians the opportunity to apply to the Conrad 30 waiver program available in all 50 states,” said College of American Pathologists President Donald S. Karcher, MD, FCAP.
Read the full press release here.