Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 0.
This bill amends chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act) to explicitly include nurse practitioners and physician assistants as "other eligible providers" for purposes of workers’ compensation for federal employees. It makes conforming changes to several statutory provisions that reference physicians to include these eligible providers, and directs the Secretary of Labor to finalize implementing regulations within six months of enactment.
Assessment of quality risks from varying State scope-of-practice laws
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment that clearly identifies the legal change (adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants as eligible providers under FECA) and specifies where to amend existing law, with a required rulemaking deadline.
This bill amends chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act) to explicitly include nurse practitioners and physician assistants as "other eligible providers" for purposes of workers’ compensation for federal employees.
It makes conforming changes to several statutory provisions that reference physicians to include these eligible providers, and directs the Secretary of Labor to finalize implementing regulations within six months of enactment.
Technically focused, administratively implementable, low controversy and limited cost make enactment plausible absent procedural obstacles.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment that clearly identifies the legal change (adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants as eligible providers under FECA) and specifies where to amend existing law, with a required rulemaking deadline. It lacks fiscal discussion, detailed administrative rules, and accountability mechanisms.
Assessment of quality risks from varying State scope-of-practice laws
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Assessment of quality risks from varying State scope-of-practice laws
Likely supportive: expands access to timely care for injured federal workers and recognizes NPs and PAs as eligible treating providers.
May view this as a pragmatic step to reduce wait times and improve health equity among federal employees.
Cautiously favorable: pragmatic measure to broaden who can provide compensable care, likely improving access while keeping care within State practice limits.
Wants to ensure the six‑month regulatory deadline produces clear rules on scope, reimbursement, and oversight.
Mildly supportive to cautious: accepts broader provider recognition as increasing choice and lowering costs, but wary of federal expansion into medical practice.
Concerns center on oversight, potential fraud, and preserving physician-led care where necessary.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Technically focused, administratively implementable, low controversy and limited cost make enactment plausible absent procedural obstacles.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Assessment of quality risks from varying State scope-of-practice laws
Technically focused, administratively implementable, low controversy and limited cost make enactment plausible absent procedural obstacles.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment that clearly identifies the legal change (adding nurse practitioners and physician assistants as eligible providers under FECA) and s…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.