[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 88 (Thursday, June 27, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1153-E1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IMPROVING ACCESS TO PHYSICIANS IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 2002

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer my support for the 
bill H.R. 4858, which will extend and expand the J-1 visa waiver 
program. This legislation is vital for Maine and other states that have 
difficulties in finding physicians to practice in rural and underserved 
areas. Workforce shortages threaten access to care for all our 
citizens, and rural areas in particular face significant obstacles in 
attracting healthcare professionals. This legislation extends for an 
additional two years the successful state J-1 visa waiver program.
  The ability for states to sponsor foreign physicians began in 1994. 
Until this authority expired at the end of May, states were able to 
sponsor 20 physicians a year, allowing them to remain in practice in 
underserved areas.
  Maine's sponsorship of J-1 waiver applicants began in 1997. The State 
has used close to the maximum number of slots each year. Recently, the 
State of Maine responded to growing demand by expanding the scope of 
the waiver program, allowing specialists to apply for J-1 waivers. 
Additionally, more areas of the state were deemed eligible for such 
waivers. Consequently, Maine now maximizes its number of available 
sponsorships. This bill goes the step further to expand the current 
number of state waivers from 20 to 30, and therefore greatly enhances 
the ability of my State and many others to meet future needs in 
underserved areas.
  There is some urgency to this matter, because the Department of 
Agriculture has suspended its processing of J-1 waiver applications. 
Therefore, this state waiver ability remains the only route left to 
ensure these primary and specialty physicians remain in underserved 
areas.
  As a Member of the bipartisan House Rural Health Care Coalition, I've 
been involved in efforts to maintain the current J-1 visa waiver 
process. This particular waiver program is not a long-term solution to 
healthcare workforce shortages, but it is providing valuable resources 
right now to underserved areas.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Jerry Moran for introducing this 
legislation, and encourage all my colleagues to support H.R. 4858.

[[Page E1154]]



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