H.R. 6211: Medical Professional Access Act

This bill, titled the Medical Professional Access Act, aims to amend existing laws to facilitate greater flexibility for health care professionals during federally declared emergencies. Here are the main points of what the bill proposes:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to expand the ability of health care professionals to provide services in multiple states during emergencies without being restricted by state-specific licensing requirements. This is particularly aimed at enhancing the response capabilities of health care providers in situations like natural disasters or public health crises.

Key Provisions

• Portability of Licenses: The bill allows health care professionals who are licensed, registered, or certified at the federal or state level to offer their services under a federal contract without needing to hold a license in the state where they are providing those services.
• Federal Emergency Response: Licensure portability applies specifically during events designated as federally declared emergencies. These emergencies can include:
  • An emergency or major disaster declared by the President.
  • A public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • Any other national emergency or crisis requiring a federal response, as determined and published by the head of an Executive Department.
• Scope of Services: Health care professionals must operate within the scope of their authorized duties as specified in their federal contract while providing services.

Impact on Healthcare Delivery

The proposed changes aim to streamline the deployment of health care professionals, enabling quicker and more effective responses to health crises and disasters. This could potentially improve patient care in emergency situations by allowing rapid access to qualified professionals regardless of state lines.

Relevant Companies

• CMS Energy Corp (CMS): As a significant player in healthcare services, this company may be impacted by the increased availability of health care providers in emergency situations.
• HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA): HCA is one of the largest healthcare providers in the U.S. and could benefit from a larger pool of healthcare professionals during emergencies.
• Patterson Companies, Inc. (PDCO): This company supplies products to healthcare professionals and could see a change in demand for their services contingent upon the increased healthcare capacity enabled by this bill.