NCC urges committee to advance bill to improve access to workers compensation

AONL and 56 other Nursing Community Coalition members urged the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs leaders to advance the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act of 2025 (S. 3296). The legislation would eliminate outdated barriers in the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act preventing nurse practitioners from diagnosing and overseeing the care and treatment of federal employees who are injured or become sick while working. Although federal employees may select an NP as their primary provider, current law requires a physician to diagnose, certify the injury and extent of the disability and oversee the patient’s treatment. The NCC says authorizing NPs to certify disabilities and oversee care would improve access and efficiency, particularly in rural and underserved communities. (NCC letter, 8/4/26)