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- AMA adopts new policies for IMGs and student loans
Last week, we reported that the CAP had attended the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates Interim Meeting and worked with the Pathology Section Council to secure passage of new AMA policies.
- The measures are against health plan steering tactics and deceptive advertising by training programs.
Additional topics covered at the meeting
Supporting international medical graduates
What they're saying: Testimony at the meeting underscored the important role that international medical graduates (IMGs) have in the US health care system, especially in underserved areas.
- The AMA adopted a new policy calling for a viable, expedited, and distinct pathway for physicians to obtain permanent residency.
- The AMA will also advocate to ensure that physicians are exempt from unreasonable increases in H-1B visa fees and to create a dedicated visa pathway specifically for physicians.
- The CAP and the AMA opposed the new $100,000 H-1B visa fees introduced by the Department of Homeland Security.
Student loan advocacy
Delegates also raised concerns about recent federal policy changes that affect medical school costs, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. The policies include eliminating loan programs and imposing caps on student loans.
In response, the AMA adopted policies calling for continued advocacy to:
- Ensure federal student loan limits accurately reflect the actual cost of graduate medical education.
- Preserve a variety of beneficial repayment options, including favorable income-based repayment plans for medical graduates.
- Protect the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which remains a vital tool for physicians serving in public and nonprofit health settings.
Other news: Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, also addressed the crowd, encouraging attendees to "be curious, be courageous."