Bipartisan legislation clarifies that sports medicine professionals can treat injured players on the road 

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and John Thune’s (R-SD) bipartisan Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act has unanimously passed the Senate Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The legislation would make clear that covered sports medicine professionals can treat injured players on the road, 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. 

“Whether they’re working for a professional team or their local high school, sports medicine professionals should be able to treat athletes on the road without putting themselves at legal risk,” Klobuchar said. “Our common-sense legislation will allow sports medicine professionals to give athletes the care they need regardless of where their teams happen to be playing.”

“This bill is a win for both sports medicine professionals and the athletic communities they serve,” Thune said. “Providers who treat an injured athlete who is playing in a state outside of their state of licensure shouldn’t be subject to the risk that exists under current law.”

The Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act is supported by a wide range of health care and athletic organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Athletic Trainers Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

During her time in the Senate, Klobuchar has been a leader in the fight to make health care more affordable, lower prescription drug costs, expand rural health care, and support people with disabilities.

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