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Bill115th CongressFiled Apr 3, 2017Armed Forces and National Security
H.R. 1848

Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017

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Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jul 24, 2017)

Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program under which it shall increase the use of medical scribes at VA medical centers.

The bill defines "medical scribe" as an unlicensed individual hired to enter information into the electronic health record or chart at the direction of a physician or licensed independent practitioner whose responsibilities include:

  • assisting the physician or practitioner in navigating the electronic health record; and
  • responding to various messages and entering information into such record, as directed by the physician or practitioner.

The VA shall carry out the program at four VA medical centers located in rural areas, four located in urban areas, and two located in areas with need for increased access or increased efficiency.

The VA shall: (1) hire 20 new VA term employees as medical scribes and seek to enter into contracts for the employment of 20 additional scribes, (2) assign four scribes to each VA medical center where the program is conducted, (3) assign two scribes to each of two physicians, (4) employ 30% of the scribes in the provision of emergency care, and (5) employ 70% of the scribes in the provision of care in specialties with the longest patient wait times or lowest efficiency ratings.

(Sec. 3) The bill replaces a provision authorizing the VA to furnish tobacco to veterans receiving hospital or domiciliary care with provisions prohibiting any person from smoking: (1) indoors in any Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility, (2) indoors in a VHA community living center on or after December 31, 2018, and (3) outdoors at any VHA facility on or after October 1, 2021.

What just happenedJul 25, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1](R-TN)Sponsor
3 cosponsors3 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors2committees20actions4related bills12subjects
  1. Jul 25, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  2. Jul 24, 2017FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jul 24, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Jul 24, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6173-6174)

  5. Jul 24, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6173-6174)

  6. Jul 24, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6198-6199)

  7. Jul 24, 2017FloorH37210

    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Walz objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.

  8. Jul 24, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1848.

  9. Jul 24, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6173-6174)

  10. Jul 24, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Roe (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  11. May 23, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 99.

  12. May 23, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-151.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  13. May 23, 2017Committee5000

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-151.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  14. May 17, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  15. May 17, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  16. Apr 6, 2017Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

    Health Subcommittee
  17. Apr 5, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  18. Apr 3, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  19. Apr 3, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  20. Apr 3, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJul 24, 201736

Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program under which it shall increase the use of medical scribes at VA medical centers.

The bill defines "medical scribe" as an unlicensed individual hired to enter information into the electronic health record or chart at the direction of a physician or licensed independent practitioner whose responsibilities include:

  • assisting the physician or practitioner in navigating the electronic health record; and
  • responding to various messages and entering information into such record, as directed by the physician or practitioner.

The VA shall carry out the program at four VA medical centers located in rural areas, four located in urban areas, and two located in areas with need for increased access or increased efficiency.

The VA shall: (1) hire 20 new VA term employees as medical scribes and seek to enter into contracts for the employment of 20 additional scribes, (2) assign four scribes to each VA medical center where the program is conducted, (3) assign two scribes to each of two physicians, (4) employ 30% of the scribes in the provision of emergency care, and (5) employ 70% of the scribes in the provision of care in specialties with the longest patient wait times or lowest efficiency ratings.

(Sec. 3) The bill replaces a provision authorizing the VA to furnish tobacco to veterans receiving hospital or domiciliary care with provisions prohibiting any person from smoking: (1) indoors in any Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility, (2) indoors in a VHA community living center on or after December 31, 2018, and (3) outdoors at any VHA facility on or after October 1, 2021.

Reported to House without amendmentMay 23, 201779

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program under which it shall increase the use of medical scribes at VA medical centers.

The bill defines "medical scribe" as an unlicensed individual hired to enter information into the electronic health record or chart at the direction of a physician or licensed independent practitioner whose responsibilities include:

  • assisting the physician or practitioner in navigating the electronic health record; and
  • responding to various messages and entering information into such record, as directed by the physician or practitioner.

The VA shall carry out the program at four VA medical centers located in rural areas, four located in urban areas, and two located in areas with need for increased access or increased efficiency.

The VA shall: (1) hire 20 new VA term employees as medical scribes and seek to enter into contracts for the employment of 20 additional scribes, (2) assign four scribes to each VA medical center where the program is conducted, (3) assign two scribes to each of two physicians, (4) employ 30% of the scribes in the provision of emergency care, and (5) employ 70% of the scribes in the provision of care in specialties with the longest patient wait times or lowest efficiency ratings.

Introduced in HouseApr 3, 2017

Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a two-year pilot program under which it shall increase the use of medical scribes at VA medical centers.

The bill defines "medical scribe" as an unlicensed individual hired to enter information into the electronic health record or chart at the direction of a physician or licensed independent practitioner whose responsibilities include:

  • assisting the physician or practitioner in navigating the electronic health record; and
  • responding to various messages and entering information into such record, as directed by the physician or practitioner.

The VA shall carry out the program at four VA medical centers located in rural areas, four located in urban areas, and two located in areas with need for increased access or increased efficiency.

The VA shall: (1) hire 20 new VA term employees as medical scribes and seek to enter into contracts for the employment of 20 additional scribes, (2) assign four scribes to each VA medical center where the program is conducted, (3) assign two scribes to each of two physicians, (4) employ 30% of the scribes in the provision of emergency care, and (5) employ 70% of the scribes in the provision of care in specialties with the longest patient wait times or lowest efficiency ratings.

Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act of 2017 — Informed