Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Address Iowa Physician Shortage

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) helped introduce bipartisan legislation to address Iowa’s physician shortage. The Conrad State 30 & Physicians Access Act, introduced with Nebraska Republican Don Bacon (NE-02) and Illinois Democrat Brad Schneider (IL-10), expands and extends the Conrad 30 Waiver program that allows international doctors who have received their training in the United States to receive a visa to practice in a medically-underserved area of the United States for at least three years. Under current law, those physicians are required to return to their home country and wait for two years before they can even apply for a new visa or green card. 

“Iowans are feeling the effects of the physician shortage, especially in our rural communities,” said Congresswoman Finkenauer. “I’ve heard from communities and providers across our state who say we need this common-sense, bipartisan solution. We invest time and resources training physicians from all over the world – we should make sure that we’re able to retain that talent and have them serve the Iowa communities that need them.”

Nationwide, a shortage of 120,000 physicians is predicted. The shortage is already hitting Iowa hard: it ranks 46th physicians per 100,000 patients, according to a study from the Association of American Medical Colleges. 

The bill extends the Conrad 30 Waiver program until 2021, streamlines the process for obtaining a visa and provides a path to increase the number of waivers available to states beyond the current allotment if certain requirements are met. 

The legislation has the support of the Iowa Hospital Association and the Iowa Medical Society. 

“This bill would address ongoing physician workforce shortages and therefore improve access to care in the state,” said Erin Cubit, of the Iowa Hospital Association. “Iowa is among a number of states that consistently fill each of its waiver spots and yet still have a need for more physicians.”

“In recent years, Iowa practices have had to turn away physicians in much needed specialties like psychiatry, simply because the Conrad 30 program has proven so popular that we have more qualified applicants than slots available,” said Iowa Medical Society President Dr. Marygrace Elson. “The additional program flexibility that is made possible by this legislation will help bring more physicians to rural and underserved communities where they can make the greatest impact. We applaud Congresswoman Finkenauer for her leadership on this issue and hope to see further common-sense proposals to increase access to care for all Iowa patients.”

“There are many communities in America struggling to attract talented physicians, yet we have many skilled people from around the world who wish to study here and stay to work,” said Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE). “An extension of the Conrad 30 visa program will help those communities attract qualified physicians at a time when they are sorely needed. I’m thankful to work with my friends on the other side of the aisle to get this legislation to the floor.”

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