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119-s-1701119th CongressWALLET

STORM Act

Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]

Introduced

Summary

The STORM Act would create a federal framework to mobilize private health care workforce platforms during declared emergencies. It would let the President certify private technology platforms that connect credentialed independent-contractor clinicians to surge needs, back limited licensure waivers, and provide targeted liability protections to speed deployments.

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  • Workers: Independent-contractor health care workers with a valid license in at least one state could be deployed through certified platforms and potentially receive state licensure waivers subject to model procedures, background checks, and expedited deployment rules.
  • Patients and communities: Local health systems could get faster access to vetted clinicians during emergencies through private platforms that the federal government can use to fill surge staffing gaps.
  • Platforms and states: The President may certify platforms for agreements of not less than 1 year, issue implementing regulations, and must coordinate with states on waiver adoption. The law also requires a report to Congress starting 1 year after enactment and annually thereafter describing waivers and deployments.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster state waivers for health workers

If enacted, the President could work with States during an emergency to help waive state licensure rules for out-of-state contractor health workers. Waivers would apply only to workers using a platform with a presidential agreement and who hold a license in at least one State. The President would issue model procedures, like background checks and vetting, and coordinate with State authorities for fast deployment.

Liability rules for emergency health workers

If enacted, the bill would limit civil liability for independent contractor health workers and platforms when they act under this title and follow it or reasonably try to follow it. The limits would not apply for willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith. In some qualifying emergencies, private entities that contract with or act at the direction of a Federal agency could be treated as Federal employees for Federal Tort Claims Act claims. The President would write rules to implement these protections.

Federal certification for healthcare platforms

If enacted, the bill would define private "health care workforce platforms" and independent contractor health workers. The President could certify platforms and sign voluntary agreements with them. Any agreement could let the Federal Government use a certified platform during declared emergencies. Each agreement would last not less than 1 year.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Budd, Ted [R-NC]

NC • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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