Bipartisan Coalition of 100 US Lawmakers Appeals for Healthcare Visa Relief
A significant bipartisan coalition comprising 100 members of the United States Congress has formally appealed to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, urging her to grant the healthcare sector a critical exemption from newly imposed restrictions associated with the H-1B visa program. This urgent request, detailed in a letter dated February 11, 2026, centers on a September 19 Presidential Proclamation that mandates a substantial $100,000 fee for employers filing new H-1B visa petitions.
Concerns Over Exacerbating National Healthcare Staffing Shortages
The lawmakers have expressed profound concern that this hefty financial burden will dangerously worsen pre-existing staffing shortages across the entire American healthcare system. They explicitly warn that the fee could lead to critical medical roles remaining unfilled, thereby reducing access to essential care for millions of citizens. The letter powerfully argues that the healthcare industry uniquely qualifies for the sector-wide exemption authority granted to the DHS Secretary by the presidential order itself.
"The Proclamation recognizes the Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s authority to grant sector-wide exemptions, so long as it 'is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States,'" the lawmakers note, emphasizing that protecting the healthcare workforce squarely meets this national interest criterion.
Data Reveals Deep and Widespread Workforce Gaps
Citing alarming federal data, the legislators highlight the severe and widespread nature of the staffing crisis:
- Nearly 87 million Americans reside in areas officially designated as having a shortage of medical professionals.
- Physician demand is projected to exceed supply by up to 86,000 within the next decade.
- Clinical laboratory science programs are currently educating less than half the number of professionals needed to meet demand.
The letter states unequivocally, "These shortages cannot be filled by the domestic workforce alone," underscoring the indispensable role of international health workers. It further points out that 21 million Americans live in regions where foreign-trained physicians constitute at least half of all practicing doctors.
Rural and Urban Safety-Net Hospitals at Greatest Risk
The lawmakers provide a stark assessment of the potential impact on specific healthcare institutions. They warn that rural hospitals and urban safety-net hospitals, which already face uncommon recruitment and retention challenges, will feel the effects of the $100,000 fee most acutely.
"These hospitals rely heavily on the H-1B visa to maintain adequate staffing and offer comprehensive services in high-need areas," the letter explains. The added cost could push these chronically underfunded facilities to their financial brink, forcing them to leave vital positions open and further diminishing care access in vulnerable communities.
A Plea to Preserve Three Decades of Medical Talent Recruitment
The appeal reminds Secretary Noem that for over 30 years, the H-1B visa program has been a cornerstone for U.S. healthcare employers to recruit and retain top international talent. This includes highly skilled physicians, advanced practice professionals, clinical laboratory workers, and biomedical researchers who deliver specialized care, serve in underserved areas, and contribute to groundbreaking medical innovation.
Imposing this fee, the lawmakers argue, would undermine this long-standing system. It would force healthcare organizations to divert precious financial resources from hiring caregivers to covering visa costs, ultimately harming their capacity to serve their communities. The bipartisan group concludes with a strong, unified plea: "We strongly urge you to exempt the health care sector from this burdensome fee." This move, they assert, is vital to safeguarding both the national healthcare infrastructure and the welfare of the American people.
