Immigration bill could help physician shortage

The immigration bill might have a partial solution to the doctor shortage in underserved areas: import them. Or more precisely, make it easier for foreign physicians who come to the U.S. for their medical residencies to stay on after their training — if they'll then serve three years where they are most needed. The Senate immigration reform plan allows more visas for certain categories of students and workers — but it steers physicians to a visa process that will include time in underserved areas, many of which are in rural America.