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Report: Immigrant doctors could help fill rural shortage

A report suggests immigrant physicians could help fill the need for doctors in rural areas if what’s called a Conrad 30 waiver is made permanent. The report, from the Center for American Progress, says immigrants who complete residencies in the U.S. have a J-1 visa allowing them to stay until the residency is complete. The waiver lets them stay if they work in an underserved community for three years. Congress has to approve the Conrad 30 program every other year and it’s limited to 30 per state, regardless of need.

The report cites an instance in which a pregnant woman’s first doctor visit was for delivery, and others where people simply avoided doctor visits if they were too far from a physician. The report says there are slightly more than 13 doctors for every 10,000 rural residents, compared with more than 31 physicians per 10,000 urban residents.