Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Waive $100,000 Healthcare H-1B Fee

A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives introduced the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act (H.R. 7961) to waive a $100,000 H-1B visa fee for foreign doctors and nurses. The legislation, sponsored by Mike Lawler, Maria Elvira Salazar, Sanford Bishop, and Yvette Clarke, seeks to exempt healthcare professionals from a surcharge established by a September 2025 presidential proclamation issued by Donald Trump. The bill also aims to prevent the government from imposing future sector-specific fees that exceed standard federal filing charges.

Lawmakers and healthcare organizations argue that the high cost creates a financial barrier that discourages hospitals and community health centers from hiring foreign talent. Proponents emphasize that this fee exacerbates staffing shortages, particularly in rural and underserved regions where 87 million Americans face limited access to medical professionals. The American Medical Association warns of a projected shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 if the recruitment of international medical graduates is hindered.

The legislative push follows pressure from medical groups and legal challenges from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, nursing unions, and several Democratic states, who contend that the fee exceeds executive authority. Supporters of the act maintain that removing the fee is essential to prevent service cutbacks and maintain patient access to care across the national healthcare system.