Bill passes through Education and Labor Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the House Education and Labor Committee, Ranking Subcommittee Member Russ Fulcher (R-ID) voted to pass H.R. 6087, the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act.
Introduced by Congressmen Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Tim Walberg (R-MI), this bipartisan bill will allow licensed Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to treat federal workers under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) by allowing them to be considered “eligible providers.”
Congressman Fulcher commented, “Thank you to my colleagues Congressmen Joe Courtney and Tim Walberg for introducing H.R. 6087. This bipartisan bill will provide a great way to offer expanded access to small clinics and independent hospitals in our rural areas that often have a licensed PA or NP that is the highest-qualified professional.”
Background
The bill would amend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) to cover services provided to injured federal workers by PAs and NPs – provided that the service performed by the PA or NP is within the scope of their practice as defined by State law.
Federal employees are currently unable to receive treatment from PAs and NPs for care that is provided under federal workers’ compensation for injuries sustained on the job. Not only does this restrict access to healthcare for federal employees, but it also can cause unnecessary hurdles for patients seeking care in rural areas.
Read the full bill text here.
