HR6539-119

What This Bill Does

The STORM Act amends the Stafford Act to let the President certify private health care workforce platforms for voluntary agreements lasting at least one year. A qualifying platform must partner with credentialed independent contractor health care workers, be able to facilitate surge capacity during emergencies, and be self-sustaining outside emergencies. During a Stafford Act emergency, the President may coordinate with States to facilitate licensure waivers for out-of-state independent contractor health care workers deployed through a certified platform when the federal government, State, or affected local government uses their services for emergency response. The President must establish model waiver procedures and criteria that include qualification demonstrations, background checks, expedited deployment to affected areas, and possible reliance on platform vetting.

Who Benefits and How

Certified health care workforce platforms benefit because federal certification can make them eligible for emergency deployment agreements. Independent contractor clinicians benefit from a route to deploy across State lines during emergencies when licensure waivers are adopted. States and local governments affected by emergencies benefit from faster surge staffing. Hospitals and emergency health facilities benefit from access to additional credentialed workers. Patients in disaster areas benefit if the platform agreements reduce staffing shortages during emergencies.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The President and federal emergency-management staff must certify platforms, negotiate voluntary agreements, coordinate with States, and establish model procedures. State licensing boards must decide whether to adopt waiver procedures and verify out-of-state workers. Health care workforce platforms must maintain credentialing, verification, background-check support, and deployment capacity. Independent contractor health care workers must satisfy license, credential, and background requirements. Federal and State officials must monitor emergency deployment reporting and compliance.

Key Provisions

• Defines health care workforce platforms and independent contractor health care workers for Stafford Act emergencies.
• Authorizes presidential certification of platforms eligible for voluntary emergency agreements.
• Requires agreements to last at least one year when certified platforms are used.
• Authorizes coordination with States to facilitate licensure waivers for out-of-state health workers during emergencies.
• Requires model procedures covering qualifications, background checks, expedited deployment, and platform vetting.