Name: Hospitals warn new visa fees could worsen nurse shortage
Uploaded: 2025-10-30T00:18:36.943Z
Duration: 2 min 7 s
Description: Hospitals nationwide are urging the Trump administration to reconsider a steep new fee for hiring highly skilled workers from other countries. Many turn to medical professionals from abroad to fill the gaps, but the new $100,000 price tag for the popular H-1B visa is making that nearly impossible.

Hospitals nationwide are urging the Trump administration to reconsider a steep new fee for hiring highly skilled workers from other countries. Many turn to medical professionals from abroad to fill the gaps, but the new $100,000 price tag for the popular H-1B visa is making that nearly impossible.

Washington

Hospitals in the United States are urging the federal government to reconsider a new $100,000 fee for hiring skilled foreign workers through the H-1B visa program. Many hospitals, already facing persistent staff shortages and high turnover, rely on international medical professionals to fill essential roles, particularly in nursing. 

The Trump administration introduced the fee to incentivize hiring American workers and discourage companies from overusing the visa system. However, hospital leaders and the American Hospital Association warn the policy could worsen shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas, and are calling for exemptions for medical workers.

Hospitals warn new visa fees could worsen nurse shortage

Well, hospitals nationwide are urging the Trump administration to reconsider a steep new fee for hiring highly skilled workers from other countries. Many turn to medical professionals from abroad to fill the gaps, but the new $100,000 price tag for popular H-1B visas is making that nearly impossible. Natalie Brand reports on the looming crisis for America's emergency rooms. For years, turnover and burnout have put the squeeze on hospital staff, especially nurses. At Frederick Health in Maryland, Chief Nursing Officer Jamie White is the one tackling the shortage. We have had a continual desire to bring on about 100 nurses for the last three years. The hospital, like others, looked abroad to fill in the gaps, planning to sponsor 45 nurses on H-1B visas. Now those plans are on hold with a new $100,000 fee for foreign employees to apply for that visa. We will not afford that. We cannot afford that for even one individual. The Trump administration announced the policy change last month. So there's an incentive to hire Americans. The administration says the six-figure price tag is for new applicants living abroad, not those already here, like this Frederick Health lab worker who was uneasy about speaking with us on camera, but said he moved to Maryland two and a half years ago on an H-1B visa to create a better life for his family. A White House spokesperson said the president promised to put American workers first, adding this common sense action discourages companies from spamming the system and driving down American wages. I know there's a lot of concern with bringing people to the United States and they might be taking U.S. jobs, but we do have a shortage of clinical team and highly skilled workers. Frederick Health and so many hospitals facing a national shortage of staff are hoping for an exemption for medical workers. The American Hospital Association said such a hefty H-1B visa fee will be felt most in already challenged rural and underserved communities. Natalie Brim, CBS News, Frederick County, Maryland.

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