WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), and Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced the Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act, a bill to address the health care workforce shortage by ensuring that underserved and rural communities can retain highly skilled health care professionals.
Hospitals often rely on supplementary physicians and practitioners to meet their staffing needs, referred to as locum tenens. Locum tenens fill gaps in hospital staffing that range from permanent staff on vacation or on maternity leave, to multi-year commitments or continuous revolving support due to workforce shortages. The Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act codifies locum tenens status as independent contractors, allowing them to continue treating patients nationwide.
“All Americans, regardless of zip code, deserve access to high quality medical care. By allowing locum tenens to maintain their status as independent contractors, we will be able to keep skilled doctors in the workforce and support patients nationwide,” said Rep. Carter.
A 2019 study shows that approximately 85% of hospitals, medical groups and other health care facilities used locum tenens doctors.
Read full bill text here.
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