Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025
Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025 would expand who can order and prescribe items and services for people receiving medical benefits under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Specifically, it adds a new subsection that allows nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to prescribe, recommend, or order services, appliances, and supplies for illnesses covered under EEOICPA, as long as they are acting within their state-law scope of practice and follow regulations and instructions the President determines are necessary. The change would be accomplished by modifying current EEOICPA language and adjusting the subsection numbering accordingly. In short, the bill broadens the pool of health-care providers who can directly arrange needed care for energy workers and bereaved families under EEOICPA, potentially speeding access to covered treatments and devices while preserving federal oversight through President-approved regulations.
Key Points
- 1Expands authority: NP and PA may prescribe, recommend, or order services, appliances, and supplies for illnesses covered by EEOICPA, subject to state scope-of-practice rules and federal regulations.
- 2Authority tied to EEOICPA benefits: The new authority applies specifically to individuals receiving medical benefits under EEOICPA.
- 3Regulatory framework: Implementation relies on regulations and instructions issued by the President; providers must follow these rules in addition to state law.
- 4Structural change to statute: The bill redesignates subsections in Section 3629 of EEOICPA (c–f become d–g) and adds a new subsection (c) establishing the NP/PA authority.
- 5Scope limitation: The change does not grant general prescribing rights outside the EEOICPA context; it is limited to benefits under this federal program.