Visa wage rule could reshape hospital hiring, fueling staffing costs

Proposed Department of Labor changes to prevailing wage calculations for visa programs (H-1B, green cards) could raise pay for foreign-born healthcare workers and lift costs for hospitals, nursing homes, and labs that rely on these staff. Estimates suggest about $6.5 billion in extra wages and roughly $14,000 more per year per certified job, with some visa-holding nurses in certain markets facing 25–35% pay increases. Critics warn the rule ignores regional wage differences and could worsen staffing shortages, pushing facilities toward costlier agency staff and potentially reducing patient access; public comments on the proposal have closed.