Katko Announces USCIS Change To Give CNY Hospitals Greater Flexibility In Meeting Region’s Evolving Needs During COVID-19 Pandemic

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— Following advocacy by U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24), today the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new guidance enabling physicians holding H-1B visas to practice telemedicine, and providing local hospitals with the necessary flexibility to meet increased demand for medical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This updated guidance comes after Rep. Katko joined a bipartisan effort to urge USCIS to permit doctors with H-1B visas to make select changes to better assist in Coronavirus response efforts. Medical facilities throughout  Central New York, and particularly those in rural regions, like Oswego Health, rely on the H-1B visa program to fill critical vacancies.

As part of the visa approval process, employers must identify where and for how long the visa holder will work. Any changes to a visa holder’s status must be approved by USCIS. While these policies are well intended, the site-specificity for work authorization has prevented physicians holding a H-1B visa from transferring to facilities that are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients or are experiencing staff shortages due to quarantine requirements.

These physicians are also unable to provide treatment through telemedicine programs, which have  provided much-needed surge capacity to underserved and rural areas during this pandemic. Central New York’s medical response to Coronavirus, Rep. Katko joined an effort urging the USCIS to issue new guidance that allows flexibility for physicians with H-1B visas.

As a result of this advocacy, the USCIS issued new guidance that will allow these physicians to deliver telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance also provides flexibility for doctors to meet demand at overwhelmed facilities and for those who are unable to work full-time due to illness, reduced hours at healthcare facilities, or other impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In Central New York, and especially in our rural communities, we need highly trained doctors that can treat patients and deliver high quality telemedicine during this crisis,” said Rep. Katko. “To meet this need and improve flexibility for Central New York hospitals in addressing the  ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I urged USCIS to grant important exemptions for healthcare providers with H-1B visas. As a result of this advocacy, the USCIS changed its policy, enabling doctors with H-1B visas to practice telemedicine and permitting them to transfer to overwhelmed facilities. In our community’s time of need, we must ensure our healthcare providers are fully empowered to treat patients in our region.”

“As the only academic medical center in Central New York, SUNY Upstate Medical University is privileged to attract dozens of exceptional  medical school graduates from all over the world to undertake their residency training in Syracuse. The invaluable role our medical residents play in Upstate’s mission is always apparent, and at no time more than during the present COVID-19 crisis,” said Mantosh Dewan, MD, Interim President for SUNY Upstate Medical University. “We deeply appreciate and applaud leaders like Congressman Katko, who are working diligently to help our international medical residents overcome barriers to their immediate and continued service on the front lines of this pandemic.”

“Oswego Health appreciates the USCIS willingness to waive certain restrictions for H-1B visa holders,” said Jeffery E. Coakley, Executive Vice President for Oswego Health. “Congressman Katko was instrumental in communicating with USCIS to provide Oswego Hospital and other hospitals with additional flexibility related to the H-1B provider services in our communities.”

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