NANUET-Representative Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) has introduced a measure aimed at expanding the number of foreign graduates of American medical schools allowed to stay in the United States. The proposal targets the Conrad 30 program, which presently permits states to issue 30 waivers for foreign graduates of medical schools on J-1 visas. Under Lawler’s plan, these waivers would be increased to 100.
Moreover, the proposal seeks to ensure that doctors choosing to remain in the U.S. would be placed in underserved areas, addressing critical healthcare gaps in these regions. The move comes as New York, along with the rest of the country, grapples with a severe shortage of healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortage has been exacerbated by factors such as worker fatigue and vaccination requirements, putting significant strain on healthcare networks’ financial stability.
Lawler explained the rationale behind his proposal in a recent interview, highlighting the need to retain highly trained medical professionals who have been educated in the United States. Currently, many foreign graduates return to their home countries after completing their studies, leaving behind a valuable pool of talent that could contribute to filling healthcare workforce gaps.
Interestingly, the initiative to retain more doctors has garnered support across party lines, with Democrats, immigration advocacy organizations, and prominent healthcare associations all endorsing the proposal. Entities such as the Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Association of New York State, Associated Medical Schools of New York, the Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State, and Henry Ford Health have expressed their backing for the plan.
Bea Grause, RN, JD, President of the Healthcare Association of New York State, emphasized the significance of the “Doctors in Our Borders Act,” referring to it as a critical step in addressing the nation’s physician shortage. Leveraging the J-1 Visa program to its fullest potential could provide immediate relief to the ongoing workforce crisis faced by hospitals and healthcare systems across the country, particularly in underserved areas.
The bipartisan nature of the legislation underscores the shared concern among lawmakers and healthcare stakeholders about the urgency of bolstering the healthcare workforce. By retaining more doctors who have received their education in the U.S., the nation can make strides toward ensuring adequate access to healthcare services and addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing healthcare worker shortage. With the proposal now on the table, Lawler and his allies aim to continue working together to strengthen New York’s healthcare workforce and improve access to quality care for all residents.
