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Thune, Klobuchar Bill to Provide Licensure Clarity for Sports Medicine Professionals Passes Senate

Bipartisan legislation clarifies health services that sports medicine professionals can provide to an athlete, athletic team, or staff member outside the state of licensure

September 7, 2018

WASHINGTON — 

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today applauded the Senate’s passage of a modified version of their bipartisan Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act, legislation to eliminate the ambiguity that currently exists with licensure and malpractice insurance for covered sports medicine professionals traveling across state lines with an athletic team. Absent clarification, when these health care providers treat an injured player in another state, they are potentially putting themselves at professional and financial risk.

“With fall knocking on the door, so too is the kick off for a variety of high school, college, and professional sports seasons,” said Thune. “It’s critical to protect the sports medicine professionals serving on the sidelines during training season, at practice, and especially during home and away games. I’m glad our bipartisan legislation, which would help achieve that goal, is nearing the finish line.”

 “On the road or at home, sports medicine professionals should be able to treat athletes without putting themselves at legal risk.” said Klobuchar. “Passing this common-sense legislation brings us one step closer to ensuring that sports doctors can give athletes the care they need regardless of where their teams happen to be playing.”

The legislation would allow covered sports medicine professionals to engage in the treatment of injured athletes across state lines, as long as they have an agreement in place with the team or athlete being treated and are performing services within the scope of practice of their state of licensure.

The bill must pass the U.S. House of Representatives before it heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.