Yeah; it would have had the added benefit of generating more revenue for the government via increased income taxes ($100k * income tax rate over N years versus $100k only once).
But I think the reality about the H1-B program no one wants to state plainly is that its effectively a system of voluntary indentured servitude, and its important to all of the masters of the program that the visa holders accumulate as little power as possible.
I've advocated for a long time that the fee should be 1:1 to the salary for the position along with a salary floor of $100k/year as it's for skilled work, which is largely historically been a break point. Today, that may be closer to 140 though.
The money generated should go towards grants for US citizens imo though, as it would shore up the "need" for foreign labor. As long as the economy is growing and there is demand it isn't a problem. If there's a legitimate need, then it should be worth the cost.
To those mentioning outsourcing will skyrocket, I doubt that as it's already widely used and there's a lot of additional friction without embedded staff/managers where the work is getting done, and even then.
