Immigration and the physician shortage: Why D.C. isn't acting on skilled health care immigration

Tom Price, M.D., says legal, merit-based immigration in health care is one of the few policy issues with genuine bipartisan support — but it still hasn't broken through the noise in Washington.

"There's always something sucking the oxygen out of the room," he said. "Why it doesn't happen is confounding — it was when I was in Washington and continues to be from the cheap seats out here in the country."

The former Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary reflects on why legislation to bring more qualified international physicians and nurses into the U.S. workforce hasn't gained meaningful traction, despite broad support and the urgent need.

"That's why I've been talking about this, because this is one of those areas that does have bipartisan support that could be able to pass through both the House and the Senate, and, I believe, signed by the President," Price said.

His message to policymakers and the public: don't let the issue slip off the agenda.