House Passes Bill to Allow More Treatment Providers for Federal Workers

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would expand health care provider options for injured federal workers. The House voted 325-83 to send HR 6087 to the Senate. The bill, by Reps. Jim Courtney, D-Conn., and Tim Walberg, R-Mich., would expand the roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants treating workers covered by the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Currently, FECA allows only licensed physicians to treat injured workers. HR 6087 would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants acting within the scope of their practice to prescri...