Spanberger Works to Address Virginia’s “Growing Doctor Shortage,” Streamline Outdated Regulations

A VHWDA Study Found Nearly 30 Percent of Virginians are Impacted by the Nationwide Primary Care Physician Shortage

The Congresswoman Backed the “Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act,” Which is Endorsed by VCU Health System & UVA Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger backed bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help combat the shortage of doctors in Virginia.

Virginia is facing a severe healthcare workforce shortage. A 2023 study from the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) found that nearly 30 percent of Virginians live in localities that don’t have enough primary care physicians.

And while foreign medical students could fill these gaps following their medical residency, current regulations are outdated and unable to meet the growing demand for doctors. According to the American Medical Association, approximately one-third of resident physicians in the United States are international medical graduates. But approximately half of those residents are practicing under a specific non-immigrant visa, typically a J-1 visa — meaning they must return to their home country for two years upon completing their medical residency before they can apply for a new visa or green card. This current law­ slashes the number of American-trained doctors who are eligible to serve Virginia patients.

The Spanberger-backed Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act would reauthorize and extend the Conrad 30 waiver program, which allows foreign medical students to obtain a visa to remain in the United States following their medical residency if they practice for at least three years in a medically underserved community. The legislation would streamline the process for obtaining a visa, establish important workplace protections for recipients, and provide a path to increase the number of waivers available to states beyond the current allotment of 30 waivers per state if certain requirements are met.

“Many foreign doctors who were educated in America’s world-renowned medical institutions wish to practice in the United States and serve our neighbors. As the United States continues to face a growing doctor shortage, we should not be turning away talented, American-trained physicians,” said Spanberger. “For years, Virginia healthcare providers have shared with me how reforms to our educational visa system would improve access to healthcare across our Commonwealth. Extending and expanding the Conrad 30 program is a critical step to connect our communities with the care our neighbors deserve.”

The bipartisan, bicameral bill also clarifies that spouses and children of participating doctors may remain in the United States.

The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act is supported by Virginia institutions responsible for educating future doctors and serving patients across the Commonwealth — including Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the University of Virginia (UVA). The legislation is also endorsed by the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, and National Rural Health Association.

“Our mission is to preserve and restore health for all people of Virginia. Taking that responsibility seriously means being able to deliver competent, comprehensive, and compassionate clinical care to our underserved populations,” said Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., Dean, VCU School of Medicine & Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, VCU Health System. “The Conrad State 30 Physician Access Reauthorization Act is essential to this mission, and it provides states with the flexibility needed to address the national physician shortage. We applaud Rep. Spanberger for sponsoring this critically important bill.”

“We appreciate Congresswoman Spanberger’s support for legislation which provides opportunities for international physician graduates participating in UVA Health’s Graduate Medical Education training programs to serve the needs of our nation’s rural and underserved communities, including in Virginia,” said Monica G. Lawrence, M.D., Designated Institutional Official, UVA Health & Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, University of Virginia School of Medicine.

The legislation is led in the U.S. House by U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and David Valadao (R-CA-22). Companion legislation is led in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

Click here for the full bill text.

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