Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, introduced the “Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Act.” Cramer announced the bill on Monday. It calls for a study on the business practices of healthcare staffing firms during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Nurses serve on the front line and provide an essential service to our communities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Cramer said in a press release. “However, hiring agencies are reportedly taking advantage of the demand created by workforce shortages, charging inflated rates and keeping a significant percentage for their own profits.”
The legislation would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report to Congress on the business practices and the effects of hiring agencies across the healthcare industry during the pandemic.
“When healthcare providers pay travel nurse agencies, both the providers and the contracted nurses should know how much the agencies keep for themselves,” Cramer said. “The Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act ensures the business practices of these agencies get the critical sunshine they need.”
The bill is supported by the North Dakota Medical Association, North Dakota Hospital Association and American Hospital Association.