More states eye removing requirements for foreign-trained physicians

Since 2023, nine states have dropped their residency program requirements for foreign-trained physicians, and more than a dozen other states are considering doing the same, NPR reported March 3.

By: Mariah Taylor  Becker’s Hospital Review

Many of the state bills to ease residency requirements are based on model legislation that was proposed in 2020 by the Cicero Institute, a conservative think tank. The model legislation would require internationally trained physicians to meet certain training measures in their native country, pass the standard three-part physician licensing exam, set up malpractice insurance, find a U.S. physician who will supervise them and work under a restricted license for several years. About 10 of the laws or bills stipulate that physicians must practice in rural areas for several years.

Here are five things to know:

1. Currently, about 26% of practicing physicians in the nation are foreign-born.

2. Proponents of the bills say the changes could help ease physician shortages, especially in rural areas.

3. President Donald Trump has shown support for the federal H-1B visa program, on which many foreign physicians rely to enter the country.

4. Critics of the bills or laws raised concerns that the practice would “unethically poach” physicians from other countries with greater healthcare needs. They also said foreign residency and training programs may not match the intensity of U.S. programs, which could have negative effects on patient safety.

5. Critics say there are better ways to increase the number of rural physicians, including increasing pay, expanding loan repayment programs and creating accelerated training for nurse practitioners and physician assistants who want to become physicians.