House Advances FECA Reform Bill to Expand Treatment Options
Legislation that would expand treatment options for federal workers injured on the job by allowing them to receive treatment from state-licensed physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) advanced out of a House committee.
The Education & Workforce Committee approved the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 3170) by unanimous voice vote, sending the legislation to the full House for consideration.
The bill would amend the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) to allow injured federal workers to receive treatment for work-related injuries from state-licensed physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Current law prohibits federal workers from being treated by PAs and NPs for federal worker compensation cases.
Sponsors, including Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Joe Courtney (D-CT), say the bill is common sense, allowing federal employees to get care quicker, particularly in rural communities and other areas where it’s tough to find doctors.
“Delay in care means delays in injured workers returning to their jobs. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are a critical component to filling this provider gap,” said Rep. Walberg.
"Our bill would tweak FECA to enable NPs and PAs to certify workers’ claims, get reimbursed, and help federal employees get healthy and get back on the job sooner—that includes the 1,000 federal workers we’ve got at SUBASE New London, from firefighters, to police officers, to crane operators,” said Rep.Courtney.
The House passed a similar bill in 2022 but the Senate did not act on it. Supporters are hopeful that this time the legislation will become law.
Labor Groups Line Up in Support
The legislation enjoys support from labor groups, including from the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).
“If you are injured on the job, finding convenient care with the provider of your choice is the top priority. NALC supports this bill and calls on Congress to pass it,” said NALC President Brian Renfroe.
According to NALC, U.S. Postal Service workers account for nearly half the claims made to the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs each year.
Others supporting the bill include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
“This important legislation will help ensure federal employees receive the care they need from their chosen health care provider when they are injured at work by authorizing an NP to certify the workplace injury or illness, as well as oversee their care in the federal workers’ compensation program,” said AANP President Valerie Fuller.