Amidst all the gloom and the doom swirling around us, there is great news for J-1 physicians. On October 8, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 5571/P.L. 110-362 which increases the FLEX 5 slots to FLEX 10 slots per year. This means that each state department of health, at its discretion, can use 10 of its annual allotment of 30 slots for physicians not physically situated in medically underserved areas but who treat patients who reside in underserved areas. This will greatly expand the locations where J-1 physicians can work.

The bad news is that the Conrad State 30 Program has only been extended until March 6, 2009. However, the increase in FLEX slots is available immediately.

The attorneys at Pederson Immigration Law Group were active in advocating this change and while we preferred a bill with more extensive provisions to benefit J-1 physicians, we are most grateful to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D.-CA) and Congressman Jerry Moran (D.-Kansas) for their leadership in having the bill passed in the house and to Senator Conrad for leading the efforts in the Senate.