Donald Trump’s plans to significantly increase H-1B visa fears increase concerns between US medical groups regarding the lack of staff, with more than half of the healthcare professionals considering changing jobs next year, agency agency reported.
The US Department of Internal Security examines policy modifications that could increase the cost of H-1B visa from a maximum of $ 4,500 to $ 100,000. The H-1B program allows US companies to employ foreign experts in specialized areas such as technology, engineering, medicine and academic communities.
These visas are commonly issued by the US Health Industry to attract international medical graduates, doctors of trained foreign and other experts educated abroad.
The American Academy of Family Doctors stressed that more than 20% of practicing family doctors are international medical graduates who also work more often in rural areas.
How will the number of doctors probably affect the increase in visa fees?
In the fiscal year of 2025, US citizenship and immigration services were recorded almost 442,000 unique H-1B visa recipients in all sectors, with 5,640 petitions approved specifically in the health and social industries.
The US Medical Association warned that fees of up to $ 100,000 could prevent the international gas pipeline of the doctor.
“Given that the US is already facing a lack of doctors, it makes international medical graduates and trained here, which means that patients will wait longer and continue to take care of,” said President Amma Bobby Mukkamala to the news agency.
The groups of hospitals and doctors warned that increased fees could significantly reduce the inflow of doctors trained abroad into the US healthcare system. In hospitals that already operate with limited sources, this could lead to a lack of experts and to increase pressure on local medical workforce.
The American Association of Hospitals said hospitals are using the program as a temporary solution to solve the lack of labor.
“The H-1B Visa program plays a decisive role in enabling the hospital field for the recruitment of highly qualified doctors and other healthcare workers to ensure access to community and patients,” said AHA spokesperson.
“Almost 21 million Americans live in the US areas where trained foreign doctors represent at least half of all doctors,” AAFP said.
Personnel challenges in American hospitals
Many hospitalwith Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, they have encountered personnel problems. Several, including the OhioHealth, Cleveland Clinic, Cedars-Sinai and Mass General Brigham, reported Reuters that they evaluate, as recent administrative changes can affect their operations.
Until 2036, the US could face a shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 doctors because the demand report, said the report with the Association of American Faculty of Medicine.
(With the entry from agencies.)
(Tagstotranslate) H-1B visa (T) US Healthcare (T) International Medical Graduates (T) Lack of Staff (T) Doctors (T) Doctors (T) Doctors
