Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the House is aimed at expanding access to treatment and improving wait times for federal workers who are injured on the job.
H.R. 3170 – introduced May 1 by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee – would amend the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act of 1916 to allow physician assistants and nurse practitioners treat injured federal workers.
“Under the current system, many federal workers face long delays in receiving care for their injuries because an approved provider may not be within a reasonable distance,” Walberg said in a press release. “This is especially true in rural communities.”
He added: “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. This bipartisan bill would update federal law to make the Federal [Employees’] Compensation Program more efficient by improving access to care and getting federal employees back to work quicker.”
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) is a co-sponsor of the bill, which has been referred to House Education and Workforce Committee. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is urging Congress to pass the legislation.
