AAPI want a say in immigration reform

American Association of Physicians of Indian-origin has sought a say in the immigration reform bill.

 

The influential group of Indian American doctors argued that the pending legislation does not take into account the huge shortage of physicians in the US.

 

During their day-long meetings at the Capitol Hill, AAPI leadership said given that Indian American doctors see every 7th patient in the US, their views on this crucial issue could no longer be ignored.

 

"Our statistics of seeing one in every seven patients demand a seat at the table of immigration reform. We are uniquely poised, of having unique experience of dealing of patients and areas where all resources are not available," AAPI president Dr Jayesh Shah said during the Capitol Hill Day that focused on immigration reform and health care reform.

 

Dr Sampat Shivangi, the AAPI Legislative Committee co-chairman, who also supports the move to clear green card backlogs, urged the lawmakers to include physicians in the list of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for given preference or priority in green card.

 

The AAPI meeting was addressed by several top American Congressmen including Ed Royce, Joe Crowley, Joe Wilson, Ami Bera and Frank Pallone.