The American Medical Association is throwing its support behind a bipartisan bill designed to protect undocumented young immigrants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival, or DACA, status from being deported.
The group sent a letter to the bill's Senate sponsors, Democratic Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, as well as the bill's House sponsors, Republican Rep. Mike Coffman from Colorado and Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois.
The "Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act," or BRIDGE Act, would offer people who meet certain requirements the opportunity to apply for protected legal status and work authorization for three years, the AMA said.
"By providing legal status to such individuals for three years, this legislation would provide important protection and stability until a permanent solution on lawful immigration status for DACA recipients is implemented," the letter stated.
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The AMA cited reports from the Association of American Medical Colleges that showed 61 U.S. allopathic medical schools considered applications from students with DACA status for the 2016/2017 academic year. Additionally, 112 students with DACA status applied to U.S. medical schools, 34 of them matriculated, bringing total medical school enrollment of DACA-eligible individuals to approximately 70 students in 2016.
Finally, another study predicted the DACA initiative could bring 5,400 previously ineligible physicians into the U.S. health care system in the coming decades, the AMA letter said.
"These individuals help contribute to a diverse and culturally responsive physician workforce, which in turn helps benefit not only traditionally underserved patients but all patients as well. DACA recipients should be able to continue to study and work without fear of being deported."
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Last week, the AMA also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security urging clarification of President Donald Trump's immigration executive order, citing concerns about the order's impact on international medical graduates and working doctors. They stressed one out of every four physicians practicing in the United States is an international medical graduate, and they are licensed by the same requirements as U.S. medical school graduates. Moreover, international medical graduates frequently work in underserved regions and fill training positions in primary care and other specialties that face significant workforce shortages.
"Guidance is urgently needed from the Administration to ensure the upcoming residency matching program in March 2017 does not leave training slots vacant and that all qualified IMG applicants can participate. We urge the Administration to provide details and mitigate any negative impact on our nation's healthcare system," the AMA said.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn