December 2, 2025
Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to cover, for purposes of workers’ compensation under such chapter, services by physician assistants and nurse practitioners provided to injured Federal workers, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Inclusion of physician assistants and nurse practitioners in Federal Employees’ Compensation Act
(a) Inclusion
Section 8101 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (3), by inserting , other eligible providers,
after osteopathic practitioners
;
(2)
by striking and
at the end of paragraphs (18) and (19);
(3)
by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ; and
; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following:
(21)
other eligible provider means a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within the scope of their practice as defined by State law.
(b) Conforming amendments
Chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in section 8103(a)—
(A)
by inserting or other eligible provider
after physician
each place it appears; and
(B)
in paragraph (3), by inserting (or other eligible providers)
after physicians
;
(2)
in section 8121(6), by inserting or other eligible provider
after physician
; and
(3)
in section 8123(a)—
(A)
by inserting or other eligible provider
after The employee may have a physician
;
(B)
by inserting or other eligible provider
after United States and the physician
; and
(C)
by striking a third physician
and inserting an additional physician
.
(c) Regulations
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall finalize rules to carry out the amendments made by this Act.