Medical Professional Access Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6211
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-05T09:06:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Medical Professional Access Act (H.R. 6211) aims to allow health care professionals to provide services across state lines without needing separate state licenses when working under a federal government contract during a declared emergency. This facilitates quicker deployment of medical personnel in crises.
Key Provisions
- Licensure Portability: Health care professionals can deliver services in any U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories under a federal contract or subcontract, overriding state licensure requirements, provided the work responds to a federally declared emergency and stays within the contract's authorized duties.
- Definition of Federally Declared Emergency:
- Emergencies or major disasters declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (a federal law for disaster aid).
- Public health emergencies declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (a law enabling federal health crisis responses).
- Other national emergencies or crises certified by the head of a federal Executive Department (as listed in U.S. law) and published in the Federal Register (the official government gazette).
- Definition of Health Care Professional: Any individual licensed, registered, or certified under federal or state laws to provide health care services, such as doctors, nurses, or therapists.
- Legislative Changes: Adds a new Chapter 89 to subtitle IV of title 41, United States Code (which governs federal procurement and contracts), including section 8901 for these rules, and updates the table of chapters accordingly.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces federal override of state-specific licensure laws for contracted health care workers in emergencies, which previously required professionals to obtain licenses in each state where they practiced.
- Expands portability beyond existing interstate compacts (voluntary agreements among states for license recognition) by making it mandatory under federal contracts during emergencies.
- No changes to non-emergency or non-federal contract scenarios; state laws remain in effect otherwise.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal agencies (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services or FEMA) can more efficiently hire and deploy health care workers nationwide during crises, reducing administrative delays in contracting and licensing.
- Citizens: Improves access to timely health care in disaster-struck areas by enabling faster influx of qualified professionals, potentially saving lives and easing strain on local systems.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly support U.S. responses to global health crises (e.g., pandemics) involving federal aid.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Health Care Professionals: Gain flexibility to work across jurisdictions without re-licensing, easing travel and employment during emergencies.
- Federal Government and Contractors: Benefit from streamlined hiring for emergency responses, including private companies with federal subcontracts.
- State Governments and Licensing Boards: Lose some control over out-of-state practitioners in federal emergency contexts, potentially affecting local oversight.
- Patients and Communities: Receive broader access to care in emergencies, especially in underserved or disaster-impacted regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes federal preemption (where federal law takes priority) over state licensure regulations in specific emergency scenarios, aligning with existing federal authority in disasters but potentially leading to legal challenges if states argue it undermines their regulatory powers.
- Constitutional: Relates to federalism (the balance of power between federal and state governments under the U.S. Constitution); the bill leverages the federal government's commerce and emergency powers, but could face scrutiny if seen as overly broad.
- Political: Supports bipartisan goals of enhancing national emergency preparedness (introduced by representatives from different parties), but may spark debates on states' rights versus federal efficiency in health care delivery. No direct impact on individual rights or privacy noted.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Medical Professional Access Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (3 pages)