Hundreds of foreign-trained doctors in the United States are at risk of having to leave due to delays in processing J-1 visa waivers, leading to worsening physician shortages in rural areas, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand cautioned. The administrative backlog at the Department of Health and Human Services is hindering international medical graduates from starting work at hospitals nationwide, including underserved regions in New York. Gillibrand highlighted the critical role of overseas-trained physicians in filling staffing gaps, particularly in rural communities struggling to attract doctors.
The situation is of particular concern for India, a major source of international medical graduates practicing in the US. New York heavily relies on foreign-trained doctors to address healthcare shortages, especially in rural areas with recruitment challenges. Gillibrand emphasized the importance of international medical graduates in New York’s physician workforce, particularly in underserved regions, where they play a vital role.
According to Gillibrand, international medical graduates make up over a third of New York’s physician workforce, a higher percentage than in most other states. She referenced a 2025 report that highlighted severe healthcare deficiencies in rural parts of New York, with some counties lacking essential medical specialists like pediatricians and OB-GYNs. The average ratio of primary care physicians to residents in these counties falls significantly below the state average, underscoring the pressing need for foreign-trained doctors.
Hospitals in underserved communities often rely on the J-1 visa waiver program to retain foreign physicians who agree to work in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. However, prolonged delays in processing waiver recommendations are impeding doctors from commencing work, causing uncertainty for hospitals planning their staffing levels. Gillibrand stressed that these delays not only inconvenience healthcare providers but also jeopardize the stability of the healthcare system and the well-being of patients facing treatment delays or limited access to care.
The senator highlighted the urgency of the situation as many physicians completing residency programs face a looming July 30 deadline to avoid returning to their home countries. Without timely waiver recommendations, these doctors may be compelled to leave the US, impacting healthcare services in New York. Gillibrand urged the Health and Human Services to address the backlog promptly and consider expedited reviews for physicians with contracts in high-need areas.
