President Bush this week signed AHA-backed legislation extending the Conrad J-1 program through March 6, 2009. The program, which had expired in June, allows state health departments to request J-1 visa waivers for up to 30 foreign physicians per year to work in federally designated health professions shortage areas or medically underserved areas. In addition to extending the program, the legislation (P.L. 110-362) doubles to 10 the number of physicians per state who may serve in facilities that are located outside medically underserved areas but which treat patients from those areas. The AHA expressed its support for the program in an April letter.