New Legislation Introduced to Let Foreign Doctors stay in US...

[mahaandai]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Legislation-introduced-in-Congress-to-let-foreign-doctors-in-US-stay-longer/articleshow/20790092.cms

"

"As a doctor myself, I know this legislation is going to help deal with an immense need for more doctors in this country," Bera said, after introducing the legislation which will allow international doctors to remain in the country longer than their visas initially permitted if they agree to practise in underserved areas.

The Association of American Medical Collegesprojects that there will be a shortage of 63,000 doctors by 2015 and more than 130,000 by 2025 in US.

"

Why can't US laws allow NPs work independently in all states? It is pathetic that foreign doctors with less and inferior training will be allowed to stay and provide "Walmartization" of services in health care. While American Medical Association opposes independence and autonomy of Nurse Practitioners but they may support bringing Doctors from abroad, who hardly had any quality training in their countries. What a shame!

[futurepsych0]

While I agree that NPs need to have their shackles undone after some experience, I disagree with your generalization that all nonUSA trained health providers automatically "suck". Last I check there was over 30 countries who ranked better than the US in quality of healthcare. While I can understand your point, calling all medical training outside of the USA inferior takes away from your argument .

[elkpark]

There is a big difference between legislation being introduced, and legislation being passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President. Legislators introduce all kinds of legislation every year, and the vast majority of bills never make it out of committee and to a general vote. There are bills that get introduced year after year by someone who has a particular axe to grind, or a favor to repay to some wealthy contributor, or is playing up to some constituent group, that have no chance whatsoever of passing, but the legislator can say, "But I tried ..."

I also agree that it is a mistake to assume that all "foreign" physicians have substandard and inadequate training.

[elkpark]

(And if Bera is so concerned about the looming physician shortage in the US, how come he isn't out there practicing medicine instead of serving in Congress??)