Immigration and the physician shortage: Expanding merit-based visas could ease workforce shortages

Tom Price, M.D., says it's time for Congress to expand the number of merit-based visas for international health care professionals — especially those willing to serve in rural or underserved areas.

In a conversation with Medical Economics, the former U.S Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) explains why bipartisan proposals like the Doctors in our Borders Act represent a step in the right direction.

"If you look at merit-based visas ... we ought to be expanding those numbers," Price said. "Many of those pieces of legislation do just that — whether they require individuals to go to underserved areas or just allow them to work wherever the need arises here in the United States."

He emphasized that such reforms would simply build on existing immigration programs, streamlining the process for qualified clinicians to help fill persistent care gaps across the country.

"A merit-based visa program would be incredibly helpful," he said.