Immigrants ready to work

Re: “An immigrant legal defense fund will save lives,” June 9 commentary

I commend the authors for speaking out as medical professionals in support of the statewide Immigration Legal Defense Fund recently approved by Colorado’s legislature. Health care is a basic yet critical resource that should be readily available to all Coloradans, including immigrants of all statuses, and the new fund will help facilitate more access.

Importantly, immigrants also deserve better representation among the professional workforce of physicians. Hundreds of international medical graduates (IMGS) in our state are equipped with extensive medical training and experience and are eager to establish commensurate careers in the U.S., but inequitable access to the relicensure pathway prevents staggering numbers of the graduates from qualifying for licenses. For those who are successful in getting their career on track, Colorado continues to lose talent to out-of-state positions despite our own rural and primary-care physician shortages. According to the National Residency Matching Program, only 2.5% of Colorado’s medical residency positions were filled by IMGS over the past decade. This is not because IMGS lack competence or training; but rather, they are pit against a system that unfairly discounts international experience.

Spring Institute and a consortium of partners and allies, including Gov. Jared Polis, are supportive of welcoming our immigrant neighbors and creating credentialing pathways that recognize the considerable expertise of all Coloradans, including new Americans. Dismantling barriers and identifying solutions for IMGS as professionals entering our health care system will help make it truly more accessible for all.

Carrie Miller, Denver