This week, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act. This legislation, which AHCA/NCAL endorses, 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. Senator Cramer noted in his press statement on the bill introduction that:
“The health care industry was already experiencing a shortage of professionals prior to the pandemic, but COVID-19 exacerbated this issue throughout the country, especially in rural communities. Travel nurses were employed to help meet the rising demands. Over the past few years, there have been anecdotal reports of hiring agencies inflating prices and monopolizing the nursing workforce, potentially leading to a number of concerning consequences for providers, patients, and taxpayers, including inflated prices for care, further nursing shortages, and continued strain on the entire health care system.”
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 are charging 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 in long term care.