U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn, Peter Welch, and Angus King have introduced the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act in an effort to streamline interstate health care workforce licensing. The bipartisan legislation aims to improve access to healthcare across the United States by reducing bureaucratic hurdles that impede the movement of health care workers between states. A companion bill was simultaneously introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Tracey Mann and Joe Neguse.
Senator Blackburn emphasized the need for reform by stating, “Bureaucratic red tape is delaying critical healthcare workers from serving rural Tennessee.” She highlighted the SHARE Act’s potential to streamline background check recognition across states.
Senator Welch commented on workforce shortages in rural areas and said, “The SHARE Act is a good-faith effort to cut through red tape… It is important we find common ground on ways to make Washington work better for working families.”
Senator King added, “No matter where you choose to live, you deserve access to quality health care… This is a commonsense way to increase access via telehealth.”
Representative Mann noted the need for flexibility in health care systems, especially in rural communities, stating, “If we want to improve the health of those in the Big First, and in rural areas, we must expand employment opportunities for our rural health care providers.”
The SHARE Act proposes amendments to federal law that would authorize the FBI to conduct criminal background checks for state licensing agencies, thereby reducing bureaucratic obstacles. The legislation specifies that criminal history record information is to be shared only with the state licensing agency that requests the background check.
The bill has garnered support from various organizations, including the Alliance for Connected Care, American Academy of Physician Associates, American Physical Therapy Association Tennessee, American Occupational Therapy Association, and others. These groups endorse the legislation as a means to enhance workforce development and improve patient access to health care.
Chris Adamec of the Alliance for Connected Care remarked, “We applaud the leaders of the SHARE Act for introducing legislation that would help to reduce barriers to this care.” Lisa M. Gables, CEO of the American Academy of Physician Associates, stated, “This legislation will promote workforce development and strengthen the labor market.”
The Occupational Therapy Compact Commission, the Council of State Governments, the EMS Compact, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing are among the entities that have expressed support for the SHARE Act, emphasizing its role in enhancing public safety and improving access to care.
David K. Herlihy, Executive Director of the Vermont Board of Medical Practice, highlighted the benefit of the legislation in supporting physician mobility and expanding care access. The proposed legislation is seen as a critical step toward facilitating greater access to health care for patients across the nation. The bill now awaits consideration in Congress.
Learn more about the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act. View and download the bill text.
