Plan Could Add Foreign Doctors to Rural Areas

Hundreds more foreign doctors would be allowed to stay in the U.S. under a House-passed measure designed to help communities where physicians are in short supply.

Foreign medical students who train in the U.S. must return home for two years under the terms of their visas. However, the government frequently waives the requirement in exchange for three years of work in rural areas or other places where attracting doctors is a struggle.

Each state is allowed to seek 20 waivers annually, but legislation passed Thursday would boost the number to 30. The provision was part of a Justice Department budget bill that cleared the House on a 400-4 vote and is pending in the Senate.

#S#

WASHINGTON STATE

Seattle Voters to Settle Espresso Tax Issue

A proposal to place a 10-cent tax on espresso drinks sold in Seattle will appear on the Sept. 16 ballot. The City Council declined to adopt the initiative as law and instead voted 7 to 1 to send it to voters.

If the tax passes, the money would be allocated for the city’s preschool and child-care programs, including salaries of teachers and teachers’ aides.

The tax originated with the Economic Opportunity Institute, a private, nonprofit think tank funded by labor unions and foundations. Preliminary research shows that most people in Seattle are in favor of the tariff, which would be levied on any drink that contains half an ounce or more of espresso.