Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at shielding healthcare workers from a steep increase in H-1B visa costs, as U.S. hospitals grapple with ongoing staff shortages.
Clarke, alongside Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Maria Elvira Salazar, and Mike Lawler, on Tuesday unveiled the H–1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act. The bill seeks to exempt physicians and other healthcare professionals from a new US$100,000 fee attached to certain H-1B visa petitions.
The legislation also aims to block any additional fee increases beyond those already established under existing U.S. immigration law.
The move follows a coordinated effort by Clarke and Lawler, who previously led 100 members of Congress in urging the Department of Homeland Security to exclude healthcare workers from the fee requirement.
Lawmakers say the proposal comes at a critical time, as workforce shortages continue to strain hospitals and health systems across the United States.
“As they are in so many areas across our society and economy, immigrant Americans remain indispensable assets to keeping our hospitals and health systems running steadily, efficiently, and effectively. The bipartisan willingness to ensure migrant health care workers are exempt from the $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions stands as a testament to the widely accepted value and necessity of these workers in one of this country’s most vital, yet vulnerable sectors. I am proud to co-lead this effort to prevent dangerous workforce shortages from impacting the health and well-being of Americans, as well as to ensure that those who are willing to contribute their expertise and talents to our nation can continue to do so at the times when we most need them,” said Congresswoman Clarke, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica.
Supporters of the bill argue that the U.S. healthcare system is heavily reliant on the H-1B visa programme, particularly in rural and underserved communities. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, nearly 87 million Americans live in areas with insufficient access to medical professionals.
The proposed legislation would exempt healthcare workers, as defined under the Affordable Care Act, from the $100,000 fee introduced under a September 2025 presidential proclamation. It would also prohibit any new H-1B-related fees exceeding those outlined in the U.S. Code.
Healthcare leaders have warned that the fee hike could worsen existing staffing challenges and limit access to care.
“The H-1B visa program helps ensure that New York hospitals can deliver world-class health care, train the next generation of physicians, and conduct cutting-edge research. The $100,000 filing fee for H-1B visa petitions poses a grave threat to this critical mission. It will further strain hospitals financially, exacerbate ongoing workforce shortages, and diminish access to care. The H-1B Visas for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act will eliminate this onerous fee and ensure that hospitals can continue to care for their communities. I thank Representatives Lawler, Clarke, Salazar, and Bishop for their commitment to strengthening the health care workforce,” said Kenneth E. Raske, President of the Greater New York Hospital Association.
Additional support came from American Academy of Neurology President Natalia S. Rost, who pointed to long-term workforce concerns.
“This bill would also prevent any new increases in H-1B filing fees, capping costs at a maximum of $1,500 for employers as outlined in section 214(c)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. As baby boomers continue to age and health care demands rise alongside continued population growth, reports have shown a projected shortfall of nearly 86,000 physicians by 2036, underscoring the need for a robust health care workforce. In the absence of additional Medicare-funded GME slots, highly trained international medical graduates (IMGs) have historically played a critical role in filling these workforce gaps,” Rost said.
If passed, the bill would offer relief to hospitals and healthcare providers that depend on foreign-trained medical professionals, while aiming to prevent further strain on an already stretched system.
