The RURAL Healthcare Act, identified as H.R. 8347, has moved forward in Congress following a committee vote to issue a report to the full chamber on July 21, 2026.
Introduced by Representative Clarence "Burgess" Owens, who represents Utah's 4th congressional district, the legislation aims to classify qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for the purposes of the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
The bill was originally introduced on April 16, 2026, during the 119th Congress. Following its introduction, the assigned committees voted to recommend that the bill be considered further by sending it to the House or Senate as a whole.
As of July 23, 2026, the legislation has one Republican cosponsor.
The legislative process for H.R. 8347 may still include passing the House and Senate, as well as being signed by the President to become law. Current projections indicate a 34% chance of the bill being enacted.
