Washington, April 15 -- Congressman Burgess Owens issued the following press release:
Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Reinforcing Underserved, Rural and Local (RURAL Healthcare) Act today.
This bill would permanently protect the independent contractor status of locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act, and prevent any lapse in staffing, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The Latin term locum tenens means "to hold the place" refers to clinicians who provide temporary medical services in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. This short-term staffing plays a critical role in maintaining continuity of care for Americans wh...