Did you know that foreign-born doctors make up almost 25% of the doctors in the U.S. ? A special report from The American Immigration Council looks at the “critical role foreign-trained doctors play regionally, in underserved communities, in rural areas, and in providing primary health care.” Specifically, the report finds that foreign-trained physicians are vitally important in lower-income and disadvantaged communities. The Association of American Medical Colleges found that the demand for doctors will lead to a projected shortfall of between 46,100 and 90,400 doctors by 2025. The American Immigration Council report concludes that “…U.S. immigration policies significantly limit the ability of these doctors to immigrate to and practice in the United States. As policy-makers debate what immigration reforms would best serve the national interest, they should keep in mind that foreign-trained doctors are already taking the lead on providing care to many communities across the United States.”
