Gillibrand says HHS administrative backlogs contribute to doctor shortage in NY

Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is demanding action to combat New York’s physician workforce shortage by addressing administrative backlogs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Currently, an administrative bottleneck within HHS’ Office of Global Affairs (OGA) is preventing hundreds of qualified, foreign-trained physicians from beginning their service around the United States, including at healthcare facilities in some of New York’s most rural and medically underserved areas.

“International medical graduates are absolutely critical to New York’s physician workforce, especially in rural areas of our state,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New York’s healthcare providers cannot afford to lose qualified doctors to administrative red tape. I’m urging HHS to immediately address these backlogs so that New Yorkers can get the high-quality care that they deserve.”

International medical graduates make up over one-third of New York’s physician workforce, more than in nearly every other state. Persistent clinician shortages, which have been reported at medical centers across New York, have a devastating impact on patient care, increasing wait times, delaying patient care, and overburdening providers.

Physician shortages are particularly acute in New York’s rural and medically underserved areas. As Senator Gillibrand notes in her letter, “A 2025 report highlights that 16 of the state’s rural counties face alarming gaps in care, with several counties lacking even a single pediatrician or OB-GYN. On average, these counties have only four primary care physicians per 10,000 residents, which is less than half the statewide ratio.”

To improve care in these areas, New York hospitals rely on the J-1 visa waiver program, which allows international medical graduates to waive their two-year home residency requirement and stay in the United States if they commit to working in a Health Professional Shortage Area. However, monthslong delays processing J-1 waiver recommendations is exacerbating physician shortages, preventing hundreds of qualified physicians from beginning their service and creating challenges for New York hospitals creating staffing plans for the upcoming year. HHS has not provided a timeline for improvements of this process.