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Click HEREto watch Congressman Guthrie’s speech on the House floor about the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act.

Washington, DC– Congressman Brett Guthrie’s (KY-02) Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act (H.R.302) today passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a voice vote.

Many states do not offer legal protection to sports medicine professionals who work with high school, college, and professional sports teams when they cross state lines with their teams. The Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act, which Guthrie introduced with Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02), would ensure that these professionals are covered under medical liability insurance when they travel with their teams.

“Because of the nature of sports medicine professionals’ jobs, they often lack legal protection when they travel with their teams,” said Guthrie. “I was proud to introduce the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act to give these medical professionals insurance protection while they’re traveling in other states. I urge the Senate to pass this commonsense, bipartisan bill so we can see it signed into law.”

Earlier today, Guthrie spoke on the House floor in support of the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act. See below for his full remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Tonight, millions of Americans, including myself, will tune in to the College Football Playoff National Championship between The University of Alabama and Clemson University. As with any college or professional competition, both teams will have trainers traveling with them for the game.

“Unfortunately, many states do not provide legal protection for sports medicine practitioners who travel with these athletes since they are not licensed to practice medicine in the secondary state. The Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act, which I introduced with Mr. Richmond from Louisiana, would ensure that sports medicine professionals can provide high-quality and timely health care to athletes without having to worry about potential liability when traveling across state lines with their teams.  

“The nature of sports medicine professionals’ jobs requires them to frequently travel between states so that athletes can receive proper care the moment they are injured. However, providers are at great personal and professional risk because medical liability insurance does not cover costs for lawsuits related to care provided in states in which they are not licensed. It is not a reasonable solution to require practitioners to become licensed in every state where their teams will play during a given season.

“I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this commonsense bipartisan bill to provide much-needed clarity for sports medicine professionals performing their duties caring for athletes. I’d like to thank Mr. Richmond and my 36 colleagues who cosponsored this bill for their support in getting it to the floor so quickly this Congress. I’d also like to especially thank Megan Jackson, my longtime Legislative Director, who recently started a new job but who worked tirelessly on this bill last Congress, and Sophie Trainor, who was able to help me reintroduce this bill during her very first week working in my office, and who is an Alabama fan.”

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