North Carolina has enacted a new law, sponsored by state lawmakers including Tim Reeder and Dr. Campbell, that creates an alternative licensure pathway allowing foreign-trained physicians to practice in the state without fulfilling standard U.S. medical licensure requirements such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), residency, or board certification. This legislation has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it prioritizes foreign doctors from countries including China, Iran, Syria, and Pakistan, many of whom lack U.S. training and certification, over American-trained physicians. The law is said to disproportionately affect rural and underserved communities in North Carolina, where there is a shortage of medical professionals. Opponents also highlight concerns that hospitals and insurers benefit financially from employing lower-cost foreign doctors, with some American doctors reportedly replaced by foreign physicians earning substantially less. Additionally, there are allegations of lobbying influence from the North Carolina Hospital Association, Blue Cross, and other healthcare entities, which reportedly supported the bill and have financial ties to certain state politicians. The federal cap on visas for doctors from China and Iran has reportedly been lifted, potentially increasing the influx of foreign-trained physicians. Critics warn that the law could negatively impact patient safety and healthcare quality in the state. The Medical Board's role in licensing foreign doctors without U.S. training has also been criticized. Supporters of the law liken it to similar legislation in Florida, which requires residency and passing U.S. qualification tests, though opponents dispute these comparisons. The debate continues amid calls for repeal or revision of the law to protect American doctors and ensure quality care for North Carolina residents.