By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam Delegate James Moylan co-sponsored a bill that seeks to eliminate red tape from interstate healthcare provider licensing.
The proposed States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment or SHARE Act, introduced by Republican Rep. Tracey Mann of Kansas, is designed to reduce administrative burdens by authorizing the FBI to share criminal history record information between states and territories for licensure purposes.
“The SHARE Act would help reduce the processing timelines to license a healthcare professional, inclusive of in Guam while ensuring there is accountability and expeditious access to information in the event the applicant has a questionable history with their practice," Moylan said.
Mann first introduced the SHARE Act in November 2022, but the 117th Congress adjourned without acting on the bill. Bobby Shringi, Moylan's chief of staff, said the bill is being reintroduced in the current Congress.
The bill would allow cooperation between the states and territories while protecting each jurisdiction’s authority to determine whether a provider is eligible to practice in their state or territory. It would also extend the reach of healthcare professionals, including specialists while leveraging the use of new medical technologies like telehealth.
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"This is critical considering the limited scope of professionals, particularly with specialists we have on island," Moylan said. “As the draft was circulating, we wanted to ensure that Guam was included in the language, hence our decision to cosponsor the measure."
The SHARE Act is also co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), Brian Fitzpatrick (R- Pennsylvania) and Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma).
In a press release on Nov. 17, 2022, Mann said the legislation would increase the number of licensed healthcare providers able to serve communities across state lines.
"If we want to improve the health of those in the Big First, and in rural areas all around the country, we must expand employment opportunities and help expedite the licensure process for providers," Mann said. "The SHARE Act will remove the red tape that's holding back health care providers from providing care to our rural communities."
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