Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act

Bill: 117-hr-6087
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced: 2021-11-30
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Disability assistance

Employee benefits and pensions

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Health personnel

Nursing

Worker safety and health
Latest action: action_date: 2022-06-08
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-11-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act</b></p> <p>This bill expands the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in providing services to injured federal workers under the federal workers' compensation program. <br /></p> <p>Specifically, under the program, nurse practitioners and physician assistants acting within the scope of their practice may (1) prescribe or recommend treatment for injured federal workers; (2) certify the nature of an injury and probable extent of disability; (3) provide prescribed treatment for injured federal workers; and (4) participate, with a physician designated by the Department of Labor, in a mandatory workers' compensation examination of an injured worker. In general, only physicians may fulfill these roles under current law.<br /></p>

action_date: 2022-06-07
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act</b><b> of 2022</b></p> <p>This bill expands the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in providing services to injured federal workers under the federal workers' compensation program. <br /></p> <p>Specifically, under the program, nurse practitioners and physician assistants acting within the scope of their practice may (1) prescribe or recommend treatment for injured federal workers; (2) certify the nature of an injury and probable extent of disability; (3) provide prescribed treatment for injured federal workers; and (4) participate, with a physician designated by the Department of Labor, in a mandatory workers' compensation examination of an injured worker. In general, only physicians may fulfill these roles under current law.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6087 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 30, 2021 Mr. Courtney (for himself and Mr. Walberg ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to cover, for purposes of workers’ compensation under such chapter, services by physician assistants and nurse practitioners provided to injured Federal workers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act . 2. Inclusion of physician assistants and nurse practitioners in Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (a) Inclusion Section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by inserting , other eligible providers, after osteopathic practitioners ; (2) by striking and at the end of paragraphs (18) and (19); (3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (21) other eligible provider means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within the scope of their practice as defined by State law. . (b) Conforming amendments Chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 8103(a)— (A) by inserting or other eligible provider after physician in each instance; and (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting or other eligible providers after physicians ; (2) in section 8121(6), by inserting or other eligible provider after physician ; and (3) in section 8123(a)— (A) by inserting or other eligible provider after The employee may have a physician ; and (B) by inserting or other eligible provider after United States and the physician . (c) Regulations Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize rules to carry out the amendments made by this Act.

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6087 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to cover, for purposes of workers’ compensation under such chapter, services by physician assistants and nurse practitioners provided to injured Federal workers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2022 . 2. Inclusion of physician assistants and nurse practitioners in Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (a) Inclusion Section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by inserting , other eligible providers, after osteopathic practitioners ; (2) by striking and at the end of paragraphs (18) and (19); (3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (21) other eligible provider means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within the scope of their practice as defined by State law. . (b) Conforming amendments Chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 8103(a)— (A) by inserting or other eligible provider after physician in each instance; and (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting or other eligible providers after physicians ; (2) in section 8121(6), by inserting or other eligible provider after physician ; and (3) in section 8123(a)— (A) by inserting or other eligible provider after The employee may have a physician ; and (B) by inserting or other eligible provider after United States and the physician . (c) Regulations Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize rules to carry out the amendments made by this Act. 3. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives June 7, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6087 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 8 (legislative day, June 7), 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to cover, for purposes of workers’ compensation under such chapter, services by physician assistants and nurse practitioners provided to injured Federal workers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2022 . 2. Inclusion of physician assistants and nurse practitioners in Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (a) Inclusion Section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by inserting , other eligible providers, after osteopathic practitioners ; (2) by striking and at the end of paragraphs (18) and (19); (3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ; and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (21) other eligible provider means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within the scope of their practice as defined by State law. . (b) Conforming amendments Chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 8103(a)— (A) by inserting or other eligible provider after physician in each instance; and (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting or other eligible providers after physicians ; (2) in section 8121(6), by inserting or other eligible provider after physician ; and (3) in section 8123(a)— (A) by inserting or other eligible provider after The employee may have a physician ; and (B) by inserting or other eligible provider after United States and the physician . (c) Regulations Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize rules to carry out the amendments made by this Act. 3. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives June 7, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.