PA HB425

Establishes the J-1 Visa Waiver Physician Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Health to provide grants to employers who hire physicians with approved J-1 visas to work in designated medically underserved areas or health professional shortage areas.

Grants of up to $100,000 per year for up to three years may be awarded to eligible employers to assist in paying physician salaries, with grants distributed in increments of $10,000.

Eligible physician specialties include family medicine, osteopathic general practice, general pediatrics, geriatric medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics, and general internal medicine.

Priority for grants goes to employers who have not previously received a grant that calendar year and are independent entities located in underserved, shortage, or rural areas not affiliated with health care systems.

Program accepts applications until funding is exhausted or December 31, 2032, requires annual reporting to the legislature, and takes effect 180 days after enactment.