Residents in rural areas of Virginia and nationwide have less access to primary care physicians, which means they’re more likely to end up in emergency rooms for what should be basic healthcare.
Foreign medical students could fill these gaps following their medical residency, but current regulations are outdated and unable to meet the growing demand for doctors. According to the American Medical Association, one-third of resident physicians in the United States are international medical graduates, but half of those doctors are practicing under a specific non-immigrant visa, typically a J-1 visa — meaning they must return to their home country for two years upon completing their medical residency before they can apply for a new visa or green card.
Health News
- Youth suicide up nearly 50 percent; few who died had mental health diagnosis
- U.S. Surgeon General issues advisory to combat loneliness and isolation
- Hey CPR, meet ECMO: A device that’s giving UVA doctors and patients critical time
- Study: Researchers find increases in preteen suicide, especially among girls
- VCU Burn Center first in Virginia to treat patients with new technology
The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act would reauthorize and extend the Conrad 30 waiver program, which allows foreign medical students to obtain a visa to remain in the United States following their medical residency if they practice for at least three years in a medically underserved community.
The legislation, which has the backing of Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who represents Virginia’s Seventh District in Congress, would streamline the process for obtaining a visa, establish important workplace protections for recipients, and provide a path to increase the number of waivers available to states beyond the current allotment of 30 waivers per state if certain requirements are met.
“Many foreign doctors who were educated in America’s world-renowned medical institutions wish to practice in the United States and serve our neighbors. As the United States continues to face a growing doctor shortage, we should not be turning away talented, American-trained physicians,” Spanberger said. “For years, Virginia healthcare providers have shared with me how reforms to our educational visa system would improve access to healthcare across our Commonwealth. Extending and expanding the Conrad 30 program is a critical step to connect our communities with the care our neighbors deserve.”
The legislation is also backed by VCU Health and UVA Health.
“Our mission is to preserve and restore health for all people of Virginia. Taking that responsibility seriously means being able to deliver competent, comprehensive, and compassionate clinical care to our underserved populations,” said Dr. Arturo Saavedra, Dean, VCU School of Medicine, and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, VCU Health System. “The Conrad State 30 Physician Access Reauthorization Act is essential to this mission, and it provides states with the flexibility needed to address the national physician shortage. We applaud Rep. Spanberger for sponsoring this critically important bill.”
“We appreciate Congresswoman Spanberger’s support for legislation which provides opportunities for international physician graduates participating in UVA Health’s Graduate Medical Education training programs to serve the needs of our nation’s rural and underserved communities, including in Virginia,” said Dr. Monica G. Lawrence, Designated Institutional Official, UVA Health, and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, University of Virginia School of Medicine.
The legislation is led in the U.S. House by Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and David Valadao (R-CA-22).
Companion legislation is led in the U.S. Senate by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
Share
Chris Graham
