Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act

Sponsor: Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Republican-GA)February 25, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Lets temporary doctors and advanced care practitioners be recognized as independent contractors for federal laws.

This bill would let temporary doctors and advanced care practitioners, known as locum tenens, be formally recognized as independent contractors under many federal laws. This change would clarify their job status for federal programs.

What Would Change

Today, the job classification of temporary doctors and advanced care practitioners (locum tenens) can be unclear under federal laws, leading to varying interpretations regarding employment benefits, labor protections, and program participation. If this bill becomes law, qualified locum tenens professionals would generally be treated as independent contractors for many federal laws and programs, unless they have a written agreement to be employees. This would clarify their status for services performed after the bill's enactment.

Key Provisions

Classifies qualified temporary doctors and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for many federal laws and programs.
Applies this independent contractor status to laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act, Civil Rights Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act.
Lets temporary doctors and facilities agree in writing to an employer-employee relationship instead of independent contractor status.
Defines a qualified temporary doctor or advanced care practitioner as someone providing services for up to one continuous year under a written agreement.
Clarifies that this bill would not change state licensing laws, federal tax rules, Social Security benefits, unemployment programs, or Medicare/Medicaid eligibility.

View on Congress.gov

HR 7686 · 119th Congress · February 25, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 6/10

Rural and Underserved Health Care Staffing Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity