The purpose of this project is to delineate policy options for continued use of foreign born health professionals in rural areas using the J-1 Visa program. We will prepare a report on the use of the program in recent years, the interactive effects of the J-1 program and the National Health Service Corps, and the needs for health professionals in rural areas. Once the report is complete, the RUPRI Rural Health Panel will review the report and develop policy options for consideration, and will compile a document including background, policy options, and recommendations. That document will be distributed to persons invited to a special meeting to discuss the future use of J-1 Visas. The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis will prepare a summary of the discussion from the meeting.

Publications

• The Immediate and Future Role of the J-1 Visa Waiver Program for Physicians: The Consequences of Change for Rural Health Care Service Delivery
  RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
  Date: 04/2002
  This paper examines the consequences for the delivery of healthcare services in rural underserved areas if current policies governing the granting of J-1 visa waivers are changed and increases or decreases the numbers of physicians affected.