Today, the House Committee on Education and Workforce advanced H.R. 4122, the Health Care for Energy Workers Act, to increase access to care for current and former energy workers. H.R. 4122 would benefit over 10,000 Georgia energy workers, including many employed at Plant Vogtle and the Savannah River Site.
Specifically, this bipartisan, bicameral legislation, introduced by Representatives Rick W. Allen (GA-12) and Lucy McBath (GA-06), would update the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) to allow nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to order care for current and former Department of Energy (DOE) workers who receive health care under this Department of Labor (DOL) program.
The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who work or have worked in the nuclear weapons industry. Under current EEOICPA regulations, NPs and PAs are unable to order home health care services for patients, creating unnecessary barriers to care, especially for patients in rural communities.
During today's markup, Congressman Allen delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, prior to the bill's passage:
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I introduced H.R. 4122 along with my colleague from Georgia, Ms. McBath. This bill amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act to allow nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to order care for patients eligible under the Energy Workers Program within their scope of practice under state law.
"Under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, Department of Energy (DOE) contractors and subcontractors, as well as uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters, as well as the survivors of these workers, can receive compensation for certain occupational illnesses that are linked to their work environments through the Energy Workers Program.
"Under current law, only physicians may order care for eligible program patients. Unfortunately, in many parts across the country where these DOE sites are located—particularly in rural areas—workers can experience long delays in receiving essential health care services. This physicians-only policy also conflicts with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) guidelines, which allow NPs and PAs to order care within their scope of practice.
"H.R. 4122 helps address these delays and aligns the program with CMS and VA policies. This bill also requires NPs and PAs to act within their scope of practice under state law. These providers play a significant role in America’s health care system, and it is time that they play a greater role in the Energy Workers Program.
"H.R. 4122 mirrors the policy in H.R. 3170, the Improving Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act, which Chairman Walberg and Representative Courtney introduced. H.R. 3170 would allow NPs and PAs to order care for workers under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act program within the scope of their practice under state law. I was happy to see the Committee approve that bill unanimously exactly one year ago today.
"The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 4122 makes a technical change to the bill, and I urge my colleagues to adopt the ANS and approve the underlying bill."
