Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025
H.R. 3170, the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act, would expand who can provide medical care to federal workers injured under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Specifically, it adds nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to the list of providers eligible to deliver medical services under FECA, treating them as “other eligible providers” alongside physicians and osteopathic physicians. The bill also requires related conforming edits to FECA provisions and directs the Department of Labor to issue implementing regulations within six months of enactment. The aim is to improve access to timely medical care for injured federal workers by broadening the provider pool available under FECA. Introduced in the House on May 1, 2025, by Rep. Walberg (with Rep. Courtney) and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, the measure signals an intent to streamline access to care and reduce potential delays in treatment for FECA beneficiaries by allowing PAs and NPs to participate more fully in workers’ compensation medical services.
Key Points
- 1Includes nurse practitioners and physician assistants as “other eligible providers” who can deliver FECA-covered medical services to injured federal workers.
- 2Defines “other eligible provider” as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within the scope of their practice as defined by state law.
- 3Makes conforming changes to FECA language so references to physicians and related providers consistently include “or other eligible provider” in relevant sections (e.g., 8103(a), 8121(6), 8123(a)).
- 4Requires the Secretary of Labor to finalize rules implementing these amendments within six months after enactment.
- 5The overall purpose is to improve access to workers’ compensation care for injured federal workers by expanding the pool of eligible medical providers.