Government affairs

Today, Sens. Collins (R-ME) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (S. 3296).

The bill would expand access to providers by amending the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to allow federal workers injured on the job to receive treatment from physician associates/physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Current law prohibits PAs and NPs from treating federal workers in workers’ compensation cases.

Increasingly, PAs and NPs provide critical care to patients, especially in rural and underserved communities. This bill would increase the number of eligible providers, making it easier for injured federal workers, including letter carriers, to access the care they need.

In May, Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) introduced H.R. 3170, the House version of the bill. The same month, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe testifed before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, highlighting the urgent need to pass this bill. In June, the Committee on Education and Workforce unanimously advanced the bill, but the legislation has yet to receive a vote on the House floor.

“Postal employees account for nearly half of the claims made to the O¥ce of Workers’ Compensation Programs each year, and letter carriers file most of these claims,” Renfroe said. “If we’re injured on the job, finding convenient care with the provider of our choice is the top priority. NALC supports this bill and calls on Congress to pass it.”

Click here for the fact sheet.

Click here to ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 3170/S. 3296.