Dear [State Legislator’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a [your professional title, e.g., concerned citizen, healthcare professional, medical student] residing in [your city/town]. I am writing to advocate for an important issue that directly impacts our state’s healthcare system: the licensure of unmatched medical graduates from American medical schools.

Every year, thousands of highly trained medical graduates from U.S. medical schools are unable to secure a residency position due to the limited number of slots available. These graduates have completed rigorous education, passed standardized licensing examinations such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2, and are equipped with extensive knowledge and skills that could be utilized to address the growing physician shortage in our state. However, without a residency, these graduates are unable to obtain full licensure to practice medicine.

Our state, like many others, faces significant healthcare challenges, including a shortage of primary care physicians, disparities in rural healthcare access, and overburdened healthcare facilities. Allowing unmatched medical graduates to practice under supervised or limited licensure could help mitigate these issues by expanding the healthcare workforce in underserved areas and alleviating strain on existing providers.

Several states have already introduced innovative pathways to address this issue. For example:

• Missouri offers a special Assistant Physician license for medical graduates who have completed their education but have not matched into a residency program, allowing them to provide primary care services under supervision in underserved areas.
• Tennessee recently passed legislation enabling unmatched graduates to practice under a provisional license, addressing healthcare gaps while ensuring patient safety through supervised practice.
• Florida has also taken steps to create pathways for internationally trained physicians and unmatched graduates to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system.

Implementing a similar program in our state would not only provide an opportunity for these highly trained individuals to contribute but also address critical gaps in healthcare access. Such a program could include safeguards to ensure quality care, such as requiring supervision by licensed physicians and limiting practice to underserved or rural areas.

I urge you to consider sponsoring or supporting legislation that would create licensure pathways for unmatched U.S. medical graduates in our state. This initiative would benefit patients, strengthen our healthcare system, and provide a lifeline to medical graduates eager to serve their communities. By taking this step, our state can lead in addressing both the physician shortage and the underutilization of trained medical professionals.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I would be happy to discuss this proposal further and provide any additional information or support needed. Please feel free to contact me at [your contact information].

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]