Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3170
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 343.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-07T20:23:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025 aims to expand workers' compensation benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) by including medical services provided by physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) for injured federal employees. This addresses gaps in coverage that previously limited reimbursements to services by physicians and osteopathic practitioners, thereby improving access to timely and appropriate care.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Eligible Providers: Amends Section 8101 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to define "other eligible provider" as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant acting within the scope of their practice as established by state law.
- Coverage for Medical Services: Updates Sections 8103(a), 8121(6), and 8123(a) of Title 5 to explicitly include services by PAs and NPs in the provision of medical treatment, examinations, and second opinions for work-related injuries or illnesses.
- Implementation Timeline: Requires the Secretary of Labor to issue final regulations to implement these changes within 6 months of the bill's enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the list of reimbursable healthcare providers under FECA from primarily physicians and osteopathic practitioners to also include PAs and NPs, whose services must align with state-defined scopes of practice.
- Inserts conforming language throughout Chapter 81 of Title 5 to ensure PAs and NPs can provide initial care, perform examinations, and offer second opinions, which were previously restricted to physicians.
- No changes to the overall structure of FECA benefits, such as wage replacement or disability payments, but broadens the pool of approved medical professionals for treatment authorization.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor (DOL), which administers FECA, may see increased administrative workload for processing claims involving PAs and NPs, but this could reduce overall costs and delays by leveraging a larger workforce of providers.
- On Citizens (Federal Workers): Injured federal employees gain easier access to care, especially in underserved areas, potentially speeding up recovery and return to work without needing to travel to see a physician.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses solely on domestic federal workers' compensation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Injured Federal Employees: Primary beneficiaries, as they can now receive covered treatment from a wider range of qualified providers.
- Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners: Gain recognition and reimbursement eligibility under federal workers' compensation, expanding their role in treating government workers.
- Federal Agencies and Employers: Benefit from potentially faster medical clearances for employees, reducing downtime and productivity losses.
- Department of Labor: Responsible for rulemaking and oversight, which may require updates to claims processing systems.
- Physicians and Healthcare Systems: Could see a shift in referrals, with PAs and NPs handling more routine cases, though physicians retain authority for complex decisions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Aligns FECA with evolving state laws on healthcare provider scopes, promoting consistency in reimbursement rules without overriding state regulations. It may reduce litigation over denied claims for PA/NP services by clarifying eligibility.
- Constitutional Implications: None significant; the bill operates within Congress's authority to regulate federal employee benefits under Article I, Section 8, and does not infringe on states' rights beyond referencing state practice standards.
- Political Implications: Supports bipartisan efforts to modernize federal benefits in line with healthcare workforce shortages, potentially setting a precedent for similar expansions in other federal programs. It reflects a push for efficiency in government operations amid growing reliance on advanced practice providers.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 343.
- 2025-12-04: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-394.
- 2025-12-04: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-394.
- 2025-06-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 0.
- 2025-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-05-01: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-05-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act — issued 2025-05-01 — PDF (3 pages)
- Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-04 — PDF (6 pages)