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

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) announced the Senate passage of their bipartisan Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act. 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.

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

“With fall right around the corner, so too is the kick off for a variety of high school, college, and professional sports seasons,” Thune said. “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.”

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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