Visa Waiver Program Extended

October 16, 2008 – Prior to adjourning for the November elections, Congress approved legislation (H.R. 5571) to reauthorize the Conrad State 30 J-1 visa waiver program, which directs foreign medical graduates to underserved areas within the United States, until March 6, 2009. The legislation also increases from five to 10 the number of "flex slots," which states can use to place non-primary care international medical graduates in facilities outside of federally designated health profession shortage areas, as long as the facilities serve patients who live in an underserved area. President Bush signed H. R. 5571 into law on October 8.