‘NewsHour’ Series Examines Role of Foreign-Born Doctors in Rural United States
PBS' "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" this week is airing a two-part series on the role of foreign-born physicians in the U.S. health care system, particularly in rural areas, and how changing immigration regulations have affected recruitment of such providers (Lazaro, "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," PBS, 6/18). A recent decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to end its participation in a visa program has hampered efforts of some rural areas to retain foreign-born doctors. Under Immigration and Naturalization Service rules, immigrants admitted to the United States to participate in educational exchange programs receive a J-1 visa. They must return to their home nations for two years after participation in the program before applying for an immigrant visa, permanent residence in the United States or an additional nonimmigrant visa. However, certain government agencies can request a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement. Since 1994, USDA has participated in the Waiver of Recommendations for Foreign Physicians program, administered by the Department of State, requesting waivers on behalf of foreign-born doctors who agree to practice in underserved areas for three to five years. In March, USDA ended its participation in the program due to security considerations in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, but then on April 16 temporarily reversed its decision, saying it would process 86 pending requests (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 4/22). A transcript and audio clip of the first part of the series, which aired June 18, are available online. Note: You must have RealPlayer to listen to the report.
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