Alan Simpson: “I rise to support H.R. 4858, introduced by my good friend Representative Jerry Moran of Kansas. This legislation will…”

“I rise to support H.R. 4858, introduced by my good friend Representative Jerry Moran of Kansas. This legislation will extend for two years the J-1 visa waiver program for states and increase each state's allotment from 20 to 30. The J-1 visa waiver program allows foreign medical students to remain practicing in the U.S. without having to return to their home countries for two years, as the J-1 visa requires. International Medical Graduates are a thriving part of the physician population in the U.S. It is estimated that close to 24% of practicing physicians are foreign nationals. In addition, in 1999 over 2,000 foreign medical graduates were practicing in health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas, where waiver recipients are required to work. I am a strong supporter of the J-1 visa waiver program and disagree with USDA's decision to withdraw as an Interested Government Agency.”