HR 618: Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act

HR 618 in plain English: This bill expands the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the federal workers' compensation program. Under current law, only physicians can prescribe treatment, certify injuries, and conduct certain examinations for injured federal workers. The bill would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform these same functions within the scope of their practice.

Stated purpose

This bill aims to expand access to workers' compensation services for injured federal workers by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform roles currently limited to physicians, such as prescribing treatment and certifying injuries.

Key points

• Allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe or recommend treatment for injured federal workers
• Permits them to certify the nature of an injury and the probable extent of disability
• Lets them participate in mandatory workers' compensation examinations alongside a Labor Department-designated physician
• Currently, only physicians may perform these roles under federal workers' compensation law

Arguments supporters make

• Many federal workers, especially in rural or underserved areas, have limited access to physicians, so allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to handle their claims could mean faster care and fewer delays.
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are already licensed to perform these same functions for non-federal workers in most states, so treating federal workers differently creates an unequal and outdated standard.
• Expanding the pool of qualified providers could reduce backlogs in the federal workers' compensation system, getting injured employees the help they need more quickly.

Arguments opponents make

• Workers' compensation decisions — especially certifying the nature and extent of a disability — are complex medical judgments, and critics may argue these determinations should remain with physicians who have more extensive training.
• Expanding provider authority could make it easier for injuries or disabilities to be certified without sufficient medical scrutiny, potentially increasing costs or errors in the federal compensation program.
• State licensing standards for nurse practitioners and physician assistants vary widely, meaning the scope of practice allowed under this bill could differ significantly depending on where a federal worker is located, creating inconsistent outcomes.

Tradeoffs

Broadening access to care by including more provider types may help injured federal workers get faster, more convenient treatment, but it reduces the requirement for physician oversight in roles that involve official medical certification and disability determinations.

Current status in Congress: In committee.

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