A group of United States lawmakers has introduced a bipartisan bill to exempt doctors and healthcare workers from a proposed 1 lakh USD H-1B visa fee.

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers warned that the cost could deepen workforce shortages and restrict access to care across the country. Lawmakers said that the proposed 1 lakh USD fee, introduced under a presidential proclamation, could effectively shut out healthcare employers from the H-1B programme.

According to federal data cited by lawmakers, nearly 87 million Americans live in the regions facing a shortage of healthcare providers, underscoring the urgency of the issue. Medical and hospital groups have rallied behind the bill, warning that international medical graduates are critical to maintaining patient access.