Bill would strip employee protections from traveling healthcare temps

What does this do?

HR 8347 would officially classify temporary healthcare workers known as locum tenens professionals as independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act. These are doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse anesthetists who fill short-term staffing gaps. To qualify, a worker must have a written contract agreeing to contractor status and must work at any single location for no more than one continuous year.

Who does it affect?

The bill directly affects temporary healthcare professionals who travel to fill short-term positions, as well as the hospitals, clinics, and healthcare systems that hire them. Patients in rural or underserved communities could see indirect effects depending on how the change influences worker availability.

Why does it matter?

Classifying these workers as independent contractors means healthcare facilities would not be required to provide the employee protections or benefits mandated by those two federal laws, including minimum wage and overtime rules and the right to organize and bargain collectively. Rural facilities could face different cost and staffing conditions, and affected workers would have fewer legal protections tied to employee status under these specific laws.

Where does it stand?