Article
What the bill does
H.R. 7961, the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, is sponsored by Reps. Sanford Bishop, Mike Lawler, Maria Elvira Salazar and Yvette Clarke. It would exempt health care workers, as defined under the Affordable Care Act, from the $100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions created by a September 2025 presidential proclamation. It would also bar new H-1B fees on these workers beyond those already set in immigration law.
The AHA, AMA, AAMC and several hospital associations endorsed the bill. The AHA had asked the administration last fall to exempt health care workers, warning that the fee would keep many hospitals from using the program and could force service reductions. The sponsors note that nearly 87 million Americans live in areas federally designated as short of medical professionals.
Why it matters
The H-1B program is an important route for hospitals that recruit internationally trained physicians and other clinicians, particularly in underserved communities and hard-to-fill specialties. A $100,000 fee on affected petitions changes the economics of recruiting, especially for smaller and rural hospitals with thin margins.
Introduction is only the first step. The bill has sponsors from both parties, but it still has to move through committee and both chambers, and its path is uncertain.
What to do now
- Inventory current and planned H-1B hires, especially recruits still abroad, and identify which petitions may be subject to the fee.
- Work with immigration counsel on which cases are affected and on timing.
- Budget for the fee where a hire is critical to patient access, and prepare alternatives where it is not.
- Brief your congressional delegation with concrete local examples: open positions, services at risk and patient access in shortage areas.
Workforce, finance and government relations leaders should coordinate so the organization can respond quickly if the bill advances or if the administration changes its approach.
Archive entry for Mar 18, 2026, added Nov. 11, 2026.