February 26, 2025
Legislation that would create an alternative pathway to licensure for international medical graduates (IMGs) who have not completed a US residency program was heard in the Health and Human Services Committee on February 25.
The bill creates an alternative pathway to licensure for IMGs who have practiced as a physician in another country for at least 60 months in the previous 10 years, have ECFMG certification, have passed USMLE Steps 1 and 2, and have an offer of employment to work as a physician under a collaborative agreement, among other requirements. The IMG would be granted a provisional license for a period of two years, where they would be required to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. Following completion of this limited license they would be eligible for a full unrestricted license.
The MMA has expressed concerns with earlier versions of the bill (SF 509 - Mann, DFL – Edina) and has worked with the senator to ensure a minimum level of education and proficiency before a license could be granted. The current version of the bill now requires additional supervision requirements during the two-year period, and that a provisional license holder shadow the collaborating physician for the first four weeks to determine the level of supervision that will be required for the remainder of the provisionary license period. The bill requires a minimum of two hours of in-person oversight per week.
The bill also requires that after one year of provisional practice, the collaborating physician must attest to the provisionary license holders’ ability to understand basic federal and state laws regarding the provision of healthcare. They must also understand American medical standards of care and be able to demonstrate mastery of specific services required of a physician, like what a medical resident must show.
The MMA has supported efforts to ensure well-trained physicians are included in our healthcare workforce. Based on the additional guardrails added to the bill, the MMA does not oppose the bill. The bill passed and was referred to the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
May 29, 2025
As the Legislature works to complete its work on the state’s two-year budget, another deadline is looming. Legislators are required to pass a balanced budget before the end of the fiscal year—June 30, 2025. If they don’t meet that deadline, the state will begin a partial shutdown.
May 29, 2025
Registration has opened for the Empowering Physicians: A Night of Reflection and Engagement event, featuring best-selling author Elisabeth Rosenthal, MD.
May 29, 2025
The AMA is encouraging physicians to contact their U.S. senators and urge them to revise the reconciliation bill passed recently by the U.S. House of Representatives. While the bill includes language that would stabilize Medicare physician payments, it also threatens to cripple Medicaid and CHIP.