House Bill Could Improve Workers Comp for Federal Employees

Dec. 18, 2007
Rep. Phil Hare, D-Ill., introduced legislation that would provide more convenient, reimbursable health care to federal employees who suffer injuries on the job.

The bill, Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act, would amend the Federal Employee’s Compensation Act by recognizing physician assistants, nurse practitioners and several other advanced practice nursing specialties as covered providers.

Currently, claims signed by physician assistants and nurse practitioners are denied by the Department of Labor.

Hare pointed out that in many rural parts of the countries, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are the sole full-time health care providers.

“Our injured federal workers should not have to go on a wild goose chase to find providers that can offer quality, reimbursable care,” he said. “This bill ensures that federal workers in rural areas have the same access to health benefits as their urban and suburban counterparts.”

The majority of state workers’ compensation programs already recognize physician assistants and nurse practitioners as providers and are legally regulated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, which call the act “ a good public policy.”

“[The act] allows injured federal workers greater access to health care and providing needed flexibility to physician-physician assistant health teams,” said Sandra Harding, the academy’s director of federal affairs.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!