CA AB2478

Medical Board of California must conduct a study by January 1, 2022, on expanding the pool of international medical graduates in California, with focus on Spanish-speaking physicians to serve limited English proficient populations.

Study must address recruiting bilingual physicians trained in Spanish-speaking countries for medically underserved areas including Los Angeles, Orange County, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire.

Study must examine supporting international medical graduate training programs that enhance primary care residency competitiveness in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics.

Study must evaluate expanding service terms to five years for physicians in priority areas and adding service contract requirements for physicians entering via J-1 and H1B visas.

Board must submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 2022, with reporting requirement expiring January 1, 2026.