[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE IMPROVING ACCESS TO WORKER'S COMPENSATION FOR 
                      INJURED FEDERAL WORKERS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the ``Improving 
Access to Worker's Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act.'' This 
legislation would ensure that our Federal workers are reimbursed for 
crucial healthcare and services that they receive.
  In many rural areas, Physician Assistants (PAs) and Nurse 
Practitioners (NPs) are the only full-time healthcare providers. 
Unfortunately, medical services and supplies provided by PAs and NPs 
are not covered under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. As such, 
claims signed by PAs and NPs are denied by the Department of Labor. In 
many cases injured workers have to travel long distances to receive 
care that is reimbursable, or use emergency rooms for non-emergency 
care.
  PAs and NPs are legally regulated in all fifty States, the District 
of Columbia, and Guam. All fifty States also authorize physicians to 
delegate prescriptive privileges to the PAs they supervise, and 
authorize NPs to prescribe medications under their own signature.
  The exclusion of PAs and NPs from the category of covered providers 
under the Federal Employee's Compensation Act limits patients' access 
to medical care, services, and supplies, as well as disrupts continuity 
of care, and creates unnecessary costs for the Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs.
  My bill, the ``Improving Access to Worker's Compensation for Injured 
Federal Workers Act'' amends the Federal Employee's Compensation Act to 
recognize PAs, NPs and several other Advanced Practice Registered 
Nurses as covered providers. In doing so, Federal law is aligned with 
the overwhelming majority of State workers' compensation programs, and 
ensures that injured workers, especially those who live in rural areas, 
receive the care and treatment they need.
  This bill was introduced by former Representative Charles Norwood (R-
GA) in the 108th and 109th Congresses and enjoyed broad bipartisan 
support. It has also been introduced in the Senate by Senators Edward 
Kennedy (D-MA), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).
  I would like to thank the American Academy of Physician Assistants 
and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners for their help on this 
legislation and for their support of the bill. I am also happy that my 
colleague on the Education and Labor Committee, Congressman Mark Souder 
from Indiana has joined me in supporting this legislation. I look 
forward to working with him and others to garner additional bipartisan 
support so we can quickly move this bill through the House.
  I am proud to be involved in this effort to ensure our Federal 
workers, especially those living in rural America, have access to 
critical healthcare providers and services. Thank you Madam Speaker, I 
yield back the balance of my time.

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