Bill · H.R. 7686· House(119-HR-7686)
Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act
- Introduced
- 2/25/2026
- Last activity
- 2/25/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Earl Carter
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act aims to recognize the clinical roles of locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners. Under this bill, these individuals are classified as independent contractors rather than employees of the health care entity or agency they serve. This classification applies to several federal laws and programs, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. This rule applies unless there is a written contract expressing an intent to establish an employer-employee relationship. The act covers various practitioners such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants providing temporary services for up to one continuous year.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill benefits healthcare entities by classifying locum tenens as independent contractors rather than employees.
Does this invest in rural communities?+3
The bill supports healthcare staffing which is critical for rural development.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+3
The bill aims to support staffing in rural and underserved areas by providing clear status for locum tenens providers.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?-5
By classifying locum tenens as independent contractors, the bill removes their status as employees under the National Labor Relations Act.
Would union members be better off under this?-5
The classification reduces workers' status as employees, which can undermine union rights and benefits.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?-3
The classification as independent contractors may limit protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Clarification of Employment Status: The bill provides a specific classification for locum tenens providers, establishing that they are treated as independent contractors rather than employees for various federal laws and programs (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Flexibility for Healthcare Facilities: By classifying these practitioners as independent contractors, the bill specifies that the healthcare entity or contracting agency is not considered an employer (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).
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Protection of Existing Arrangements: The bill allows for an exception where an individual and a health care facility expressly agree in a written contract to enter into an employer-employee relationship (Section 2(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Employee Protections: For the purposes of federal laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, qualified locum tenens providers will not be considered employees (Section 2(b)).
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Changes to Remuneration Treatment: Any money paid or received for these services will be treated as remuneration for services performed by an independent contractor rather than an employee (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections-5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Union Workers-5Good For People With Disabilities-3
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Neal DunnRepublican · Florida