Conrad 30 Physician Workforce Optimization Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Introduced
Summary
Connect more J-1 physicians to underserved areas by raising state Conrad 30 waiver caps and creating a USCIS-run secondary match portal. The bill would raise each state's per-year waiver cap from 10 to 15 and set rules for a centralized secondary match window.
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- International medical graduates with J-1 status who applied for a two-year home-residence waiver but were not selected or could not apply because a state's cap was reached would be eligible to join a USCIS-administered secondary match portal. Employers and State health departments could review these candidates through the portal.
- Each state would gain 5 additional waiver slots per year, giving States and employers more capacity to recruit full-time primary care or specialty physicians for health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas. Employers must certify the facility location and that they unsuccessfully advertised the position.
- USCIS would run a secondary match period no longer than 60 days and publish best practices and core application requirements to streamline reviews and reduce paperwork for participating States and employers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More waiver slots per State
If enacted, the bill would raise the per‑State cap on flex waiver slots from 10 to 15, adding five slots for each State. This numeric change would let more eligible J‑1 physicians be placed in States. The provision does not specify new funding or other implementation details.
New physician secondary match portal
If enacted, USCIS would set up an online secondary match portal for certain J‑1 physicians who were not selected or who could not apply for a waiver and who ask to join. States and employers with unfilled waiver slots could view credentials and interview portal candidates. USCIS would create a short secondary match window of up to 60 days that must end before March 1 of the fiscal year. Employers in the secondary match would have to certify the site is in a shortage or underserved area or that they seek a flex waiver, and that they advertised the job and found no hire. The Director would also publish best practices for States after consulting State health agencies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
ND • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov