Recently, Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC-03) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA-02) introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act. This is a House companion to the bill
introduced by North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND). AHCA/NCAL endorses this important legislation, which requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report to Congress on the business practices and the effects of hiring agencies across the health care industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Murphy noted in a
press statement that:
“As a practicing surgeon of more than 30 years, I know that our nurses serve on the frontlines of health care and go above and beyond to care for our patients -- especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, there have been reports of travel nursing agencies taking advantage of the pandemic with questionable business practices that are increasing costs and severely hurting our health care providers and patients alike. Our bill will examine the impact of these practices on the health care industry and ensure transparency moving forward.”
The full bill is accessible
here.
AHCA/NCAL has heard from members across the country that nursing and direct care staffing agencies are charging exorbitant prices to health care facilities that need workers. These agencies charge more than double and, in some cases, as much as quadruple pre-pandemic rates. AHCA/NCAL has done extensive outreach and been very vocal on the Hill and to the Administration on this matter and the negative impact it is having on long term care.