Core Points - The Trump administration's new $100,000 fee for high-skilled H-1B visa applications may have exemptions for doctors, addressing concerns from major medical bodies about rural healthcare shortages [1][2][6] - The executive order allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive fees if hiring is deemed "in the national interest," potentially benefiting physicians and medical residents [2][4] - The H-1B visa program is essential for hospitals to recruit doctors in remote areas, with shares of major hospital operators like HCA Healthcare Inc. and Tenet Healthcare Corp. rising following news of potential waivers [3][4] Industry Impact - The exemption for healthcare workers could significantly aid rural communities facing a shortage of primary care physicians, with a projected deficit of over 87,000 by 2037 [6] - Over 76 million Americans reside in areas designated as having a shortage of primary care doctors, highlighting the critical need for H-1B visa sponsorship in healthcare [7] - Major health systems, including Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, are top sponsors of H-1B visas, and the new fee could increase labor costs significantly for these institutions [9][10]