[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6664788,"mediaKeyId","2371447-789af017a78b1dca3b3a8cc7cb4018f5","parentId",2371447,"title","Committee hears SB124 to create limited licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians","audioSeconds",4187,"startMs",165000,"endMs",4352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371447-789af017a78b1dca3b3a8cc7cb4018f5&start=165&end=4352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371447-789af017a78b1dca3b3a8cc7cb4018f5/thumbnail_165000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664788/Nevada/Committee-hears-SB124-to-create-limited-licensure-pathway-for-internationally-trained-physicians","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664788-273bd700b461016952d76033116dc197/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148771&Signature=hKmJErJssuBNOTJkEkV55Dv7CWmCqnhV9pXJykT-1S33NdlI81~Ll2vmm2ev6w5O8UBkJWITfxk3BqeuBZr6-vaHSelc3-68faQPxbLrLCunMp6DSvm0jgnMeeVvGiIRiMH3B85eFpAY0BKvh4dfSVzg2Eu5FeHX~kbEAb4pzs2p7m4z5G3fZWkjuHc5FOM6inFZt5hF-USG-OsOwK3SNoGWfjnBd01OJLie8OBHfqztyfFxuYaOAz0znlEurlfJy~04DqfctOhnVMuh92d22kOgwzOFWmO9vXzcgWmrppz7hU8~awJ1n~8ZdWgKHKNQnD9Yt20qxyEP1dry25ocYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada State Legislature","date","2025-02-21T17:47:19.317Z","article","Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor members heard testimony on Senate Bill 124, a proposal to create a limited licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians to practice in Nevada under a supervised, time‑limited license while meeting U.S. exam requirements.

Proponents told the panel the measure would expand access to primary and specialty care in rural and underserved areas. Senator Donate, the bill sponsor, said the bill would remove unnecessary barriers to licensure for international medical graduates while requiring applicants to hold a valid foreign license, pass U.S. licensing exams and meet good‑character standards. “This bill will remove barriers for limited and unrestricted licenses for international medical graduates,” Donate said during his opening remarks.

Supporters described Nevada’s physician shortage as acute: the sponsor said the state needs roughly 2,600 more physicians to reach the national average; Iris Jones, director of the Governor’s Office for New Americans, said long wait times and shortages hit rural communities hardest. Jones and others told the committee that dozens of internationally trained physicians already live in Nevada and would be available to practice if licensing barriers were reduced. Donate said he and staff have identified about 60 physicians in Las Vegas who could work under the proposed pathway; Jones later referenced 67 individuals in related outreach.

The bill as presented would require applicants to have a valid foreign medical license, pass the same U.S. examinations required of other applicants (the USMLE steps and ECFMG certification where applicable), and work under a Nevada‑licensed physician for a two‑year limited license period before a pathway to unrestricted licensure. The sponsor said an employment offer is currently reflected in the conceptual amendment but that he is open to removing the job‑offer requirement if the committee prefers. He also said the bill contains a “basic fluency” requirement but that he would consider removing it if the committee desires.

Several internationally trained physicians testified in support, many through Spanish interpretation. Dr. Jose Alberto Rodriguez described 14 years practicing internal medicine and infectious disease and said he now works as a medical assistant in Nevada while seeking opportunity to practice his specialty. Other witnesses described experience in geriatrics, rheumatology, oncology, dermatology and general practice and urged lawmakers to allow qualified foreign‑trained clinicians to serve Nevada patients.

Technical witnesses described other states’ approaches. Mike Zimmer of World Education Services summarized that roughly 11 states have enacted similar provisional or limited licensure laws; Washington and Tennessee have begun issuing licenses under that model with initial evidence suggesting many licensees serve in federally qualified health centers, rural practices or teaching hospitals. Zimmer and the sponsor both said most states that adopt these pathways tie limited licenses to service in shortage areas for a defined period.

Opponents cautioned against creating a parallel pathway that could undermine patient safety. Jacqueline Winn of the Nevada State Medical Association said Nevada’s current standard requires three years of U.S. graduate medical education for an unrestricted license and that expanding Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots is the preferred way to increase the physician workforce without lowering training standards. Wolfgang Gilliar, dean of Touro University Nevada’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, testified the state should prioritize expanding residency positions and collaborate with the sponsor rather than create a separate licensing track.

Donate closed by reiterating that the bill maintains U.S. exam requirements, that the limited license includes a two‑year supervised practice period, and that he is willing to negotiate language on the job offer and fluency requirements. The committee took testimony from supporters and opponents before closing the hearing and moving to a separate bill.

The hearing record contains extensive personal testimony from physicians who said they are legally present and licensed abroad but currently work in non‑physician roles in Nevada; supporters argued their integration would improve access, particularly for Spanish‑speaking patients and in rural counties. Opponents consistently emphasized expanding GME slots and preserving standardized residency‑based training as the primary solution for Nevada’s long‑term physician supply.

The committee did not take a vote during the hearing; the matter remains before the committee for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/21/2025 - Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor members heard testimony on Senate Bill 124, a proposal to create a limited licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians to practice in Nevada under a supervised, time‑limited license while meeting U.S. exam requirements.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6664784,"Panel reviews SB193, a pilot to buy down mortgage interest rates for first‑time buyers",1667,4482000,6149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371447-789af017a78b1dca3b3a8cc7cb4018f5&start=4482&end=6149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371447-789af017a78b1dca3b3a8cc7cb4018f5/thumbnail_4482000.jpg","/articles/6664784/Nevada/Panel-reviews-SB193-a-pilot-to-buy-down-mortgage-interest-rates-for-firsttime-buyers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664784-3895194023d28e807070c7ee214b906d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148771&Signature=LzYZq7lCdsRTjxRFLcC8SdZbrFeeomAdI1mXoeU1iKfFOrbjnlgFzRwBee5V8ubsfiUjwBl8lvoMPtZ18LslrkAh6YD7PPTIGY9d~lDzO8ETFu7MmPwF7ncApWmgnBCtWk5BhTVUcxT4rpm-OTem1YrvDO0WP0ZhXlu-tVccVnExAtcIM4GlYdjxM6xRGt-xsrA2EQ5LDXqTBJHdoLiNh6ybsKhNMhIxrhqEs-uRc9xtmLaUkDMz16OMrA4dCzKjfNEFPhaHP6T-k~6OigUJT8O7IY5jIaWroJAhJwsWmW2x2bZxQROWvhUneudnwxtm3~tnPQqgsdjgvd2pGP4chQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor heard Senate Bill 193, a pilot program proposal to buy down mortgage interest rates for eligible first‑time homebuyers, targeting households in the “missing middle” who earn too much to qualify for many subsidized programs but lack affordability at current interest rates.

Sponsor Senator Donate described the bill as a targeted, time‑limited pilot that would appropriate funds to reduce mortgage interest rates for qualifying first‑time buyers. Using his personal purchase as an example, Donate walked the committee through a hypothetical $420,000 purchase with a 3.5% down payment and an FHA interest rate of about 6.49%. He illustrated that a $12,000 buydown (about a 3% subsidy on principal) could lower the borrower’s interest rate to roughly 5.75% and reduce monthly payments by about $200, saving approximately $2,000 annually and an estimated $70,000 over the life of the loan.

Azeem Jessa of the Nevada Realtors and the bill’s housing partners described market demand and affordability pressure. Jessa estimated the program could expand purchasing power by up to $54,000 for qualifying buyers and said roughly 54% of Nevada households would meet the bill’s eligibility at current median incomes. He told the committee that the program is designed so the buydown funds flow through escrow to lenders rather than directly to sellers, limiting incentives for sellers to raise prices in response.

Steve Achrothe, administrator of the Nevada Housing Division, testified the division could implement the program and that, given housing prices, the funding would primarily benefit applicants in Clark and Washoe counties; he said the housing division could coordinate with the Nevada Rural Housing Authority to allocate a portion of funds to rural communities if the committee desired.

Supporters spanned advocacy and industry groups: the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities; the Vegas Chamber; Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Nevada; Nevada Housing Division (written support through staff testimony); Nevada Realtors; and the Nevada Bankers Association (via a lobbyist). These witnesses emphasized homeownership as a wealth‑building tool, the disproportionate burden on low‑ and moderate‑income households, and the program’s potential to increase long‑term affordability and free rental inventory.

Committee members asked implementation questions including whether the program would cover adjustable‑rate mortgages (the conceptual amendment indicated fixed‑rate 30‑year loans only), how the housing division would allocate limited funds among applicants, and whether the pilot would be limited to first‑time buyers. The sponsor confirmed the bill targets first‑time buyers and that the housing division has existing procedures for limited‑fund programs (for example, holding funds during escrow, first‑come/eligibility screening and time limits to close on a contract).

Senators also discussed geographic distribution and the possibility of setting aside funds for rural communities; the housing division said it could work with rural partners to ensure distribution beyond Clark and Washoe. No callers registered opposition during the hearing. The committee closed the hearing on SB193 and moved on to public comment.","Senate Bill 193 would create a pilot program to subsidize mortgage interest buydowns for eligible first‑time buyers in the 'missing middle.' Sponsors projected $10 million could help roughly 1,000 families; the housing division said funds would primarily benefit Clark and Washoe counties and could be allocated to rural authorities.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee hears SB124 to create limited licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians

Panel reviews SB193, a pilot to buy down mortgage interest rates for first‑time buyers