Congress and the International Medical Graduate: the need for equity.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have played an integral role in provision of medical services in the United States, representing 25% of physicians nationwide and up to 43% in some states. Because of the concern with the future physician surplus, several proposals have been advanced specifically targeting IMGs. Although the need to downsize our residency training programs is apparent, focusing specifically on the IMG who has met all requirements for entry into residency training is neither morally acceptable nor pragmatically effective. Downsizing can be accomplished independent of the need to single out a specific group without jeopardizing either quality of training or quality of care if all groups responsible for residency training work together.