Thread by @gbosslet

THREAD
#MEDED and #PCCM ADVOCACY HELP NEEDED:
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on March 20 the suspension of premium processing for H1B visas.
@ATS_BSHSR
@accpchest
@acpinternist
@APCCMPD
@AmerMedicalAssn
THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM.
1/

Premium processing is THE WAY that these trainees are able to have visas processed in a timeline that best prepares them to practice at their place of employment starting in July. Disallowing premium processing means a delay in their visa status, which delays credentialing.
2/

This is likely to lead to a 3-4 month delay in their being able to see patients at the conclusion of their training. This will effect 1200-1500 physicians who are completing residency here in the United States, most of which will be practicing in underserved areas.
3/

Given the current health crisis surrounding COVID-19, this decision will have massive effects on the healthcare systems in many places.

I will be calling my Senators today to discuss with their offices, an I would urge many in the #meded community to do the same.
4/

Never contacted your senator? It is easy.

Here are the numbers for their Washington D.C. office:
senate.gov/general/contac…
5/

Call the number. DO NOT select any options to leave a message. Talk to a staffer. Here is some suggested language on this issue (you want to get to the point quickly):
6/

Hi. My name is ___ and am a constituent of Senator __ and live in (city). I am concerned because the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has suspended premium H1B processing. This will delay the employment of thousands of physicians come July...
7/

...at a time when COVID necessitates we have all doctors helping. I would love to talk to Senator __ about this and can be reached at this number ____. Thanks for your time.

fin/

UPDATE: Got through to a staffer at @SenatorBraun's office on the 2nd try. He helped me shorten my pitch and is going to pass the message along. It was awesome!

Update #2: Just spoke to a super nice staffer at @SenToddYoung's New Albany office (no answer in D.C. or Indy). She is going to have his immigration staffer call my cell.

#AdvocacyWorks