Why is the J-1 Visa program so important to rural health?
The J-1 Visa Waiver program has been instrumental in maintaining access to healthcare in many rural communities when other recruitment efforts have failed. Since the J-1 Visa Waiver is contingent on the physician working in a HPSA or MUA, the program produces a win-win situation for the doctor and the community. The physician is able to stay in the United States to practice and an underserved community gets a much-needed doctor.