The Volunteer Health Care Provider Program

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Currently, under the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program (program), the state indemnifies certain health care providers who provide health care services for a nonprofit agency or elementary school free of charge or, in the case of some dental service, for a discounted fee. In order to serve as a volunteer health care provider under the program, a person must submit a joint application with a nonprofit agency or elementary school, and the Department of Administration must approve the application. If volunteering for a nonprofit agency, the agency must primarily serve low-income people. The following people may become volunteer health care providers under the program: physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, registered nurses, practical nurses, nurse-midwifes, optometrists, physician assistants, pharmacists, dieticians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacy technicians. If a claim is brought against a volunteer health care provider for acts or omissions committed in the course of providing health care services under the program, the state must provide or pay for legal representation for the volunteer health care provider and must pay damages and costs awarded against the volunteer health care provider to the extent that legal representation, damages, and costs are not covered by any applicable insurance.

This bill requires the state to provide or pay for legal representation and pay damages and costs awarded against a volunteer health care provider in connection with a claim arising against the volunteer health care provider for acts or omissions committed in the course of providing volunteer health care services under the program, regardless of whether any applicable insurance covers the costs of legal representation, damages, or costs. The bill also allows chiropractors and physical therapists to become volunteer health care providers under the program.

Who's behind it

8 senators are its authors⁠. 5 are Republicans and 3 are Democrats.

30 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DHS
• Fiscal Estimate From DOA

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment SA1-SB80
• LC Amendment Memo