S. 1701: Strategic Teams for Organized Response Mobilization Act

This bill, known as the Strategic Teams for Organized Response Mobilization Act (STORM Act), proposes several measures to improve the use of health care workforce platforms during declared emergencies.

Key Provisions

Definitions

The bill provides definitions relevant to its implementation:

• Emergency: A situation declared by the President under current disaster response laws.
• Health Care Workforce Platform: A private technology platform that connects credentialed independent contractor health care workers and helps manage health care service demands during emergencies.
• Independent Contractor Health Care Worker: A licensed health care professional who provides services on a contract basis, rather than as an employee of a health care facility.

Partnerships with Health Care Platforms

The President has the authority to:

• Certify Platforms: Certify health care workforce platforms that demonstrate the capacity to respond effectively during emergencies.
• Enter Agreements: Establish voluntary agreements to use these certified platforms during emergencies.

Facilitating Licensure Waivers

The bill allows for:

• Licensure Waivers: During emergencies, the President can work with states to waive licensing requirements for out-of-state health care workers, allowing them to provide services where needed.
• State Procedures: Establishing model procedures for states to follow when implementing these waivers, ensuring a swift and efficient process for deploying qualified workers.

Reporting Requirements

The President is required to submit annual reports to Congress on:

• The number of licensed workers deployed under the waiver system.
• The duration of these deployments.
• Challenges faced in implementing the waiver process.

Liability Protections

The bill includes protections for:

• Independent Contractors and Platforms: These entities won’t be liable for any damages arising from activities performed in compliance with the bill, except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence.
• Government Employee Status: Health care workers and platforms acting under federal contracts during emergencies will be deemed government employees for liability purposes, providing them further protections.

Relevant Companies

• AMZN (Amazon.com, Inc.): Amazon has investments in health care technologies and platforms that could be utilized under this bill.
• TDOC (Teladoc Health, Inc.): As a telehealth provider, Teladoc may see increased opportunities to partner with governments and health care facilities during emergencies.
• CLR (Clearwater Analytics): Companies like Clearwater that provide data management and analytics services may find a role in assisting health care platforms in emergency contexts.