White House Wants More Doctors But Its Immigration Policies Block Them

LeadershipLeadership StrategiesWhite House Wants More Doctors But Its Immigration Policies Block ThemByStuart Anderson,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Stuart Anderson writes about immigration, business and globalization.Follow AuthorJun 11, 2026, 09:20am EDTDonald Trump answers a question from a reporter during an event on maternal healthcare in the White House on May 11, 2026. The Trump administration says it wants more physicians, but its immigration policies have reduced the flow of doctors to the United States. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe Trump administration says it wants more physicians, but its immigration policies have reduced the flow of doctors to the United States. Trump officials have stated that more doctors would tame health care costs and improve health outcomes for Americans. The economic literature supports the proposition, yet the administration has lowered the potential supply of physicians by imposing new immigration restrictions. Critics say the administration must change its immigration policies to help patients, particularly in underserved areas.According to a National Foundation for American Policy study by University of North Florida economics professor Madeline Zavodny, “The foreign born are especially likely to be working as physicians and surgeons,” with over 26% of physicians and surgeons foreign born. Many physicians come to America as international medical graduates.A Disconnect Between The Need For Physicians And U.S. Immigration PolicyThe Trump administration has promoted solutions to address the lack of access to healthcare for many Americans. However, those solutions do not mention foreign physicians as a means of boosting the supply of medical providers.In April, the White House promoted a Council of Economic Advisers report on physicians and health care. “The Trump Administration has already taken a number of steps to correct the distortions caused...