Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2167
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-05T12:03:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025 aims to improve access to medical care for individuals covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to authorize certain treatments. This program provides benefits to workers who developed illnesses from exposure to hazards while working for the Department of Energy (DOE) or related contractors.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the "Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025."
- Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies Section 3629 of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 7384t).
- Redesignates subsections (c) through (f) as (d) through (g).
- Inserts a new subsection (c) stating that nurse practitioners or physician assistants can prescribe, recommend, or order services, appliances, and supplies for covered individuals.
- Scope of Authority: These professionals must act within their state's legal limits for practice and follow any regulations or guidelines set by the President.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, only physicians could authorize medical benefits under the program.
- The bill expands this authority to include nurse practitioners (advanced practice nurses who provide primary and specialty care) and physician assistants (healthcare providers who diagnose and treat under physician supervision), potentially broadening the range of providers who can deliver care without needing a doctor's direct involvement.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Energy workers and their families may experience faster access to necessary medical services, appliances (like medical devices), and supplies, reducing wait times and improving health outcomes for those with occupational illnesses such as cancer or other radiation-related conditions.
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor, which administers the program, may see streamlined processing of claims and reduced administrative burdens. The President (likely through the DOE or related agencies) gains authority to issue regulations ensuring consistent oversight.
- No Notable International Relations Impact: The bill focuses on domestic U.S. workers and has no provisions affecting foreign policy or global relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Energy Workers: Former DOE contractors, atomic weapons employees, and their survivors who qualify for compensation and medical benefits.
- Healthcare Providers: Nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who gain expanded roles in treating program beneficiaries.
- Government Entities: Department of Energy, Department of Labor, and potentially the Department of Health and Human Services, as they oversee program implementation and regulations.
- State Governments: Involved indirectly through state laws defining the scope of practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal deference to state scope-of-practice laws while allowing presidential regulatory flexibility, which could lead to uniform national standards without overriding state authority. No conflicts with existing federal healthcare laws are apparent.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare; no challenges to separation of powers or individual rights are evident.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrats and Republicans) suggests broad support for enhancing veteran-like benefits for energy workers. It may encourage similar expansions in other federal health programs, promoting efficiency in underserved areas like rural or specialized care for occupational illnesses.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-06-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (2 pages)