HOUSE BILL REPORT

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.

As Passed House:

March 3, 2020

Title: An act relating to integrating international medical graduates into Washington's health care delivery system.

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 History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/26/20, 2/27/20 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/3/20, 66-30.

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.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Chopp, Davis, Harris, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Stonier, Thai and Tharinger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Chambers and DeBolt.

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 be able to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in English and must be certified by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill addresses the urgent issue of physician shortages. Physician shortages are particularly acute in rural environments. The current physician shortage will be exacerbated by impending physician retirements. Qualified international medical graduates are living in our communities; they are an untapped resource. Many international medical graduates practice in rural areas. International medical graduates face additional burdens to get fully licensed. They have to take three separate exams. They have difficulty obtaining residency positions in the state and end up moving to other states to practice. This results in Washington exporting many of its most talented physicians to other states.

This bill will help address issues of equity. There is a low number of African American physicians in Washington. There is a need for diverse providers who can support communities of color. Candidates with high test scores have difficulty finding residencies because of bias in the system. Many international medical graduates do not even receive interviews for residency positions in Washington.

Last year's work group took a close look at this issue. There was over 100 years of collective experience reflected on the work group. This bill reflects the work group's recommendations.

This bill will facilitate clinical experience and help get more physicians into the system. It will reduce the brain waste of people who hold advanced degrees but face barriers to licensing. It will move the needle to end the physician shortage in Washington.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Mohamed Khalif, Yulia Sledneva, and Mahmoud Mahmoud, Washington Academy for International Medical Graduates; and Orlando Cano, One America.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.