More on the Doctor Shortage

One more thought on the physician shortage: The rules -- I'm not sure if it's the government or the American Medical Association or a combination thereof -- now require foreign-trained physicians who immigrate to America to repeat their entire residencies in America before they can practice here. Changing that rule to allow a more open market would help alleviate a shortage of doctors. One could set up a system of bilateral agreements between America and other countries with good doctors, or one could set up some kind of American exam to assure that the foreign-trained doctors are up to American standards and that they hadn't been subject to any professional discipline in their countries of origin. But forcing doctors to repeat their entire residencies in America is a barrier to entry that's excessive, and if the American doctors are actually concerned about alleviating shortages rather than just enriching themselves, it's the sort of idea that at least should be up for discussion.