A bill allowing underserved areas to recruit foreign-born, U.S.-educated physicians has passed Congress and awaits White House approval.
The bill reauthorizes the J-1 visa waiver program, which expired June 1. The waiver program allows international medical graduates to stay in the U.S. in exchange for three years of practicing in areas experiencing a shortage of doctors.
Kansas 1st District Congressman Jerry Moran, a Hays Republican, introduced the legislation in March. The bill passed the House and Senate
last week.
“The physician shortage in America is real,” Moran said. “Both rural areas and inner city neighborhoods continually face challenges in recruiting doctors and specialists. The reauthorization of this program is about good health and saving lives. This allows us to continue improving access to health care for many Kansans and many Americans.”
According to Moran”s office, 115 foreign doctors have served in Kansas communities since 1994 through the J-1 visa program, and more than half have stayed in practice in Kansas after completing their three-year commitment.
The Federal law allows a state to sponsor up to 30 doctors per year. Kansas allows visa waivers for 15 primary care physicians and 15 specialists. Primary care physicians include general medicine, internal medicine, family practice, general pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine and psychiatry.
U.S. Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., introduced companion legislation in the Senate.