March 19, 2026
A bill has been introduced in Congress (HR 7961) that would remove the $100,000 application fee for foreign healthcare workers seeking H-1B visas to work in the U.S., according to The New York Times. The fee was put into place last fall by the Trump Administration.
The legislation, known as the Welcoming International Success Act (WISA Act), is being championed by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-New Jersey).
The $100,000 fee could cripple the healthcare field, in which 30% of residents are international medical graduates. The AMA has been working to find exemptions for this fee, given the shortage in healthcare professionals already.
“I live in Flint, Michigan, a very medically underserved place that really depends on international medical graduates," AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, told the Times. “If this doesn’t get fixed, it leaves places like my hometown and other rural communities without enough physicians to take care of that population.”
So far, no Minnesota representatives have signed on to the bill. Physicians are encouraged to contact their representative today to show their support.
July 30, 2026
MMA members are encouraged to vote in Minnesota’s primary election on Tuesday, August 11. The primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election.
July 30, 2026
Early-bird pricing for the MMA’s 2026-2027 Minnesota Physician Leadership Institute (MNPLI) ends Friday, July 31 – take advantage of the $500 savings today.
July 30, 2026
This year, three physicians and one medical student are running for seats in the Minnesota Legislature.