Protect Our Physicians Act

Bill: 117-s-5062
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2022-09-29
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-09-29
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Protect Our Physicians Act</b></p> <p>This bill exempts programs that provide certain mental health services for physicians from restrictions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law).</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5062 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 29, 2022 Mr. Daines (for himself and Ms. Stabenow ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase access to mental health programs for physicians.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protect Our Physicians Act . 2. Access to mental health programs for physicians Section 1877(e) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395nn(e) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) Mental health program for physicians The provision by an entity of an evidence-based or evidence-informed program for physicians for the primary purpose of preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency and for training such physicians in appropriate strategies to promote their mental health, if such program— (A) is in a policy set out in writing and approved in advance of the operation of the program by the governing body of the entity; (B) is offered to all physicians on the bona fide medical staff of the entity or in the local community or service area of the entity; (C) is offered to all such physicians on the same terms and conditions regardless of the volume or value of referrals or other business generated by the physician for the entity; and (D) meets any other requirements as the Secretary may impose by regulation as needed to protect against program or patient abuse. .