Duncan Introduces Legislation to Assist Charitable Health Care Providers

WASHINGTON – Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN.) introduced the HEALTHIER Act to assist charitable organizations across the Country providing free healthcare to those in need. Currently, many of these organizations have difficulties recruiting large numbers of licensed doctors in the states where these free health clinics are conducted.

The HEALTHIER Act will give a financial reward to any state that allows licensed medical professionals to travel from other states to volunteer their services. Ten states already have such “volunteer-friendly” laws. “Unlike many recent healthcare initiatives, the HEALTHIER Act is not a federal mandate,” Duncan said. “It does not require new spending. It respects states’ rights. It makes those who cannot afford good healthcare a priority and unites them with people in the medical profession, who are always searching for ways to help others.”

This bill is supported by many of the leading health organizations like the Federation of State Medical Boards, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the Tennessee Medical Association and several others.

Stan Brock, Founder Remote Area Medical™, a nationally recognized nonprofit, said, “The HEALTHIER ACT offers hope to millions of impoverished and underserved Americans while providing opportunities for thousands of volunteer licensed health care providers to cross state lines and change people’s lives.”

Congressmen Fleischmann, Roe, M.D. and DesJarlais, M.D. have signed as original cosponsors of the bill.