Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act Passes House E&W Committee
June 14, 2024
The Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 618) has cleared the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, with language authorizing PAs to provide treatment and oversee care for federal workers injured on the job.
The bill passed the committee on a recorded vote of 36 to 0 and will be reported favorably out of committee.
AAPA applauds House lead sponsors Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), as well as Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (R-VA-03) for their ongoing support of this legislation, which will expand patient access to care by ensuring PAs are recognized under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Program to diagnose medical conditions, certify injury and extent of disability, and oversee patient treatment and care in a manner consistent with state law.
Under current policy, federal employees are unable to receive treatment from PAs and NPs for care provided through federal workers’ compensation (FECA) following injuries sustained on the job. This overly burdensome and outdated restriction has no basis in best medical practices, increases costs unnecessarily, and limits access to healthcare for federal employees.
AAPA continues to urge all members of Congress to support H.R. 618 and its Senate companion S. 131. Your representatives and Senators need to hear from you — their constituents — about the importance of removing this outdated and unnecessary federal barrier.
Visit AAPA’s Advocacy Action Center and personalize an email to your legislator today. Thank you for being an advocate for all PAs and patients!
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