Discussions Under Way Regarding
J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Non-Standard Programs
August 30, 2002-The U.S. State Department announced
in early spring that graduate medical education programs not
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education (ACGME) nor recognized by an American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS) member board would no longer be eligible
to receive international physicians under the J-1 Visa Exchange
Visitor Program. Additionally, J-1 physicians in eligible
programs would not be allowed to remain in the U.S. longer
than the program length published in the ACGME's "Green
Book." The AAMC believes that this change in policy would
unnecessarily curtail opportunities for international physicians
to gain advanced clinical skills and knowledge. It also would
not recognize the reality of rapid medical change in which
new subspecialties emerge frequently, many of them remaining
too small for full accreditation or board certification to
be feasible.
Since May, the AAMC, along with the American Medical Association
(AMA), American Hospital Association (AHA), ABMS, Council
of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), and ACGME, has been
engaged in discussions with the Departments of State and Health
and Human Services about the two key issues: (1) which GME
programs are eligible to receive international physicians
under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, and (2) for what program
duration. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
(ECFMG), which certifies foreign physicians and administers
the J-1 program under a memorandum of understanding with State,
is facilitating the discussions.
The State Department says that it does not want to curtail
the J-1 visa program, but wishes to clarify eligibility issues.
According to Stanley Colvin, J.D., director of the Office
of Exchange Coordination and Designation, the State Department
prefers fixed standards in the interests of program administration.
The AAMC will keep members informed of the results of the
discussions and the final decision by the State Department.
Information:
Sunny Yoder, Director of Resident Affairs
AAMC Health Care Affairs
syoder@aamc.org
(202) 828-0497
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