Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

SB 6551

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Integrating international medical graduates into Washington's health care delivery system.

Sponsors: Senators Stanford, Saldaña, Darneille, Dhingra, Frockt, Hasegawa and Wilson, C.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes the International Medical Graduate Implementation Work Group.

  • Establishes a clinical readiness assessment and grant funding for international medical graduates.

  • Creates an exceptional qualification waiver for international medical graduates.

  • Creates a time-limited clinical experience license.

Hearing Date: 2/26/20

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Physicians are licensed by the Washington Medical Commission (WMC). A physician who graduates from a medical school within the United States or Canada must meet qualifications, including passage of an examination, completion of two years of post-graduate medical training approved by the WMC, good moral character, and the ability to safely practice medicine.

International medical graduates must meet all of the requirements applicable to graduates from domestic medical schools. In addition, such graduates must pass the examination given by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates and be able to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in English.

An international medical graduate is exempt from the post-graduate training requirement if he or she has:

Convened in 2019, the International Medical Graduate Work Group (IMGWG) was required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature regarding:

Recommendations of the IMGWG included:

Summary of Bill:

I. The International Medical Graduate Implementation Work Group.

The International Medical Graduate Implementation Work Group (Work Group) is established consisting of the following members appointed by the Governor:

The Work Group must propose:

The Work Group must submit an annual report to the Legislature from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2025.

II. Readiness Assessment.

Based on recommendations from the Work Group, the WMC must adopt a clinical assessment to determine the readiness of international medical graduates to apply and serve in residency programs.

III. Grant Funding.

Based on recommendations from the Work Group, the WMC must adopt a grant award process. Subject to appropriated funds and donations from public and private entities, the DOH must award grant funding to:

IV. Licensing.

An applicant for physician licensing who is an international medical graduate may obtain an exceptional qualification waiver, waiving licensing requirements determined by the WMC in rule, if he or she:

The WMC may issue a time-limited clinical experience license to an applicant who does not otherwise qualify for licensure, but who meets the requirements established by the commission in rule, for the purpose of gaining clinical experience at an approved facility or program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.