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PHYSICIAN immigration advocates urge inclusion of doctor provisions in pending immigration legislation
A coalition ofimmigration attorneys who handle physician immigration cases have begun active work in pushing for inclusion of new provisions covering physicians in pending H-1B legislation.  The group includes attorneys such as Greg Siskind, Carl Shusterman and Jan Pederson.  The following statement was just released urging grassroots support for their efforts: 
For several years the National Health Care Access Coalition and immigration attorneys who represent foreign physicians have been active in making changes to laws and regulations to benefit J-1 physicians. They were instrumental in achieving the latest benefit for J-1 physicians which was the restoration of national interest immigrant visa petitions (national interest waivers) to physicians working in medically underserved areas or at VA hospitals. 
However, these victories are not won simply by asking Congress or an agency to change the law or regulations; it takes grass roots support from the physicians and health care providers as well as leadership by government relations experts (also commonly known as lobbyists). 
In fact, without our outstanding government relations representatives, it is unlikely national interest waivers would have been restored. The Coalition and the legal representatives of J-1 physicians have worked with The Spectrum Group who have provided outstanding services to all J-1 physicians. 
However, as you know, their services are not free. To, date, J-1 physicians financial resources have not been directed to financing Washington government relations experts to obtain executive and legislative results beneficial to J-1 physicians. The need for a voice in Washington is becoming greater with the increase in J-1 physicians seeking waivers. The Coalition needs financial contributions from J-1 Physician beneficiaries in order to continue to pay for the services of The Spectrum Group. 
There are several hot issues seriously impacting J-1 physicians which require immediate assistance from government relations experts, which include: 
The merger of the USIA into the State Department has caused significant delays in processing hardship waivers and interested government agency waivers. In fact, in the few short months since the merger on October 1, 1999, their processing times have more than doubled; the waiver review officers have become totally unavailable to speak with employers, congressional representatives and attorneys. After months of discussions, it appears that for the situation will not improve and could worsen. These delays will cause serious financial hardship to physicians and their American family members who are prevented from starting work for many more months than prior to the merger and is depriving America's neediest citizens from obtaining health care for far longer than necessary, deepening the health care crisis among America's poor and medically underserved, largely rural citizens. 
It is critical that J-1 physician provisions be included in the H-1B legislation pending in Congress. J-1 physicians should be exempt from the H-1B cap; exempt from the 00.00 filing fee and be included as those who may have mandatory 30 day processing of H-1B visa petitions. These objections cannot be achieved without the help of The Spectrum Group, who because of their collective years of Washington experience are well-known to and respected by the key leaders in the House and Senate, vital to obtaining the provisions J-1 physicians need in the law. 
These are just two hot issues. There are many other issues which require such assistance on a longer term basis. 
As you know, the waiver delays at the State Department threaten your jobs and your family because of the lack of accountability and the long delays.