Op-Ed:The Doctor Act Is a Lifeline for Texas’ Healthcare System—And a Victory for Common Sense: As a practicing emergency medicine physician and integrative medicine specialist, I’ve witnessed firsthand the growing strain on Texas’ healthcare system. Emergency rooms are overcrowded. Primary care wait times stretch weeks, even months. In rural and underserved communities, access to basic medical care is becoming a luxury instead of a right.
That’s why the passage of the Doctor Act (House Bill 2038) is not just timely—it’s revolutionary.
This new law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, opens a long-overdue alternative pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) with proven clinical experience abroad to earn licensure and begin practicing in Texas—without having to repeat the traditional U.S. residency program. It’s a pragmatic solution to a real crisis: Texas is projected to face a shortage of more than 10,000 physicians by 2032.
The law does not lower standards. On the contrary, it sets rigorous vetting protocols, ensuring only highly competent, seasoned doctors can qualify. But it also recognizes something our current system has failed to for far too long—that medical excellence isn’t exclusive to U.S. borders.
As an physician, I understand the struggles of my peers—qualified doctors from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Nigeria, and beyond—who are unable to serve patients in this country due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, despite having decades of experience. Many are relegated to non-clinical roles, while their communities suffer from physician deserts.
The Doctor Act is not charity—it’s smart policy.
Texas is now the 13th state to implement this kind of alternative licensure pathway. It puts us on par with global healthcare leaders who already integrate immigrant medical talent into their systems with structured competency checks, rather than unnecessary duplication of training.
Consider the potential impact:
- Clinics in rural Texas, which currently rely on overburdened physician assistants and telehealth stopgaps, could have in-person doctors again.
- Border counties plagued by chronic physician shortages could offer timely care to families.
- Urban hospital systems could relieve ER bottlenecks by adding more primary care and specialty support.
- And IMGs—already living among us, paying taxes, raising families—could finally serve the very communities they call home.
As a woman of color in medicine, I also see the equity angle here. The Doctor Act opens doors for immigrant women physicians who often face additional hurdles in re-entering the profession. It strengthens cultural competency and language access—especially in multicultural hubs like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Some critics fear this may lead to a flood of unqualified practitioners. That fear is misplaced. The law is not a shortcut—it’s an evaluation track. The Texas Medical Board will oversee every applicant with a careful eye on quality and safety.
Let’s not forget, our healthcare system was built with the help of immigrants. Over 25% of physicians in the U.S. today are foreign-trained. But while the need has only grown, the opportunities have shrunk due to rigid regulations and limited residency slots.
This legislation is an acknowledgment of reality. We can’t afford to turn away capable doctors when Texans are waiting—and suffering—for care.
As someone who believes in both compassion and common sense, I commend our legislators and Governor Abbott for choosing action over inaction. The Doctor Act is a step toward a more inclusive, effective, and responsive healthcare system.
Now, it’s up to us—physicians, healthcare leaders, and communities—to support its successful implementation and to advocate for similar reforms nationwide.
Let Texas lead with both heart and logic.
