Rep. Tracey Mann introduces legislation to remove red tape from interstate Health Care Provider Licensing

Washington, D.C. - Today, during National Rural Health Week, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) introduced H.R. 9306, the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act. The legislation would expedite the current licensing process for health care providers and increase the number of licensed health care providers able to serve communities across state lines.

"Throughout rural communities in Kansas and the United States, hospitals and other health care facilities are experiencing workforce shortages that are causing a considerable strain on our health care system," said Rep. Mann. "If we want to improve the health of those in the Big First, and in rural areas all around the country, we must expand employment opportunities and help expedite licensure process for providers. The SHARE Act will remove the red tape that's holding back health care providers from providing care to our rural communities." 

The legislation is supported by the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

“The American Physical Therapy Association is grateful to Representative Mann for his sponsorship of the SHARE Act (H.R. 9306),” said APTA Vice President of Public Affairs Aaron Bishop. “This important legislation will support efforts to modernize interstate practice by health care providers through the use of interstate compacts, which play a critical role in improving access to care in rural and underserved areas, reduce administrative burden for licensees, and preserve states’ rights in the licensure of providers. To date, the Physical Therapy Compact has been enacted in 33 states and D.C. improving licensure portability and interstate practice for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The SHARE Act is critical to supporting the continued success of interstate compacts.”

"I would like to thank Representative Mann for introducing the SHARE Act, which supports national efforts to create interstate licensure compacts in medical professions," said AOTA President Alyson Stover. "This legislation modernizes a vital component of the licensure process, allowing for greater cooperation between states, resulting in more healthcare professionals, not just occupational therapy practitioners, being able to serve patients across state lines to the greater benefit of people living in rural and underserved communities. The SHARE Act will dramatically increase access to services via telehealth, decrease licensure portability delays, and allow for the deployment of healthcare providers during times of national emergencies. I commend Rep. Mann for his leadership in supporting the Occupational Therapy Interstate Compact, and all other compacts like, it with the introduction of the SHARE Act."

Click here to read the full text of the bill.