The H–1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act—introduced by Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)—would exempt physicians and health care workers from a recently imposed $100,000 fee now required to obtain an H-1B visa, which allows foreign nationals in “specialty occupations” to live and work in the U.S. The fee was previously $5,000 to $10,000.
In last week’s issue of The Cancer Letter, Jacquelyn Cobb, associate editor, wrote a story about the then-promising legislative package that was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 22. At the time, the package was expected to pass in the Senate, provide funding for the federal government through fiscal year 2026, and prevent a government shutdown that looms Jan. 30.
