The Hospitalist - An Official Publication of Society of Hospital Medicine

SHM is urging the Department of Health and Human Services to take immediate action to address the significant administrative backlog affecting the J-1 Exchange Visitor Waiver Program. This backlog poses a serious threat to patient care in rural and underserved areas, as many international medical graduates on J-1 visas are crucial to the hospitalist workforce. With applications pending as far back as October 2025, physicians with start dates of July 1 are at risk of missing their commitments, which would worsen the physician shortages in communities that urgently need medical assistance. Additionally, new H-1B filing fees create further obstacles for these physicians. SHM calls on HHS to expedite the processing of applications and improve communication with applicants to protect healthcare delivery in vulnerable areas.