Endorsement of Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act (S. 4352)

For Immediate Release
August 11, 2022 

(Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and its advocacy affiliate, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), are pleased to endorse the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act (S.4352/H.R. 8576), sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and
Congressman Greg Murphy (R-NC), which will take crucial next steps to better understand the current workforce crisis by requiring the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and report on the effects of travel nursing agencies on the healthcare industry during the pandemic.

This study includes information on travel nursing agency practices across the country, including any potential price gouging and taking of excessive profits, the difference between how much such agencies charged healthcare institutions and how much they paid their contracted nurses, and the extent to which travel nurse agency practices contribute to workforce shortages.

“Hospices and palliative care providers have experienced nursing shortages pre-COVID, but the pandemic has exacerbated the issue. Hospices cannot compete with the high contract, excessive rates required by travel nursing agencies. These agencies appear to have capitalized on the public health
emergency by charging exorbitant rates,” said Ben Marcantonio, interim President and CEO of NHPCO and President of HAN. “We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Cramer and Congressman Murphy to garner additional support and prioritize finding immediate workforce solutions to ensure access to quality end-of-life care.”

###

Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973