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Texas H-1B freeze can worsen healthcare crisis: Indian American doctor
The Texas-based physician warned that policy could harm healthcare delivery in the state.
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Anushka Pathak - Wed, 28, Jan 2026
- 11:07 EST
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Representative image / Courtesy: Lalit K Jha
Indian-American physician Krutika Kuppalli has warned that the Texas governor’s decision to freeze new H-1B visa petitions at state agencies and public universities could deepen the state’s healthcare crisis and undermine patient care.
In response to the official announcement, Kuppalli, who studies emerging infectious diseases, described the freeze as “short-sighted,” arguing that Texas is already struggling to meet patient demand.
ALSO READ: Texas governor questions H-1B visas in state schools
She said public universities and health systems “rely on H-1Bs” to recruit physicians, nurses, scientists, and researchers and cautioned that blocking new visas would deepen staffing gaps and slow medical research.
Freezing new H-1B visas in #Texas is short-sighted. We already face serious healthcare workforce shortages and struggle to meet patient demand.
— Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA (@KrutikaKuppalli) January 28, 2026
Public universities and health systems rely on H-1Bs to recruit physicians, nurses, scientists, and researchers. This will worsen… https://t.co/UKDXtwgP6I
Kuppalli added that the policy would “harm patients,” particularly those in underserved communities, and said the move does not protect the state. Instead, she argued, it “weakens Texas healthcare” at a time when workforce shortages remain severe.
Abbott’s directive, issued on Jan. 27, orders all state agencies and public higher-education institutions to immediately suspend new H-1B sponsorships through the end of the 2027 legislative session, with limited exceptions requiring approval from the Texas Workforce Commission.
The freeze applies to taxpayer-funded entities amid concerns raised by the governor over alleged abuse of the federal visa program.
Announcing the policy, Abbott wrote on X, “Texans come first,” adding that jobs supported by taxpayer funding “should go to Texans.” In a separate letter to agency heads, he cited “recent reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program” and directed agencies to submit detailed reports on existing H-1B holders by March 27.
Texans come first.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 27, 2026
I’m directing state agencies and universities to freeze new H-1B visa petitions. Texas taxpayers invest billions to train our workforce. Those jobs should go to Texans.
Texas is the strongest economic engine in America. We’re going to keep it that way.…
Kuppalli’s remarks prompted mixed reactions online, with some users echoing her concerns about healthcare capacity, while others supported the governor’s emphasis on prioritizing local workers.
The H-1B program allows employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations and has been widely used by Texas public institutions to fill roles in healthcare, research, and technology. Indians are major beneficiaries of the program, accounting for 71 percent of the H-1B visa program.
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