Johnny Isakson: “I am pleased to rise and join Senator Kennedy in introducing the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured…”

“I am pleased to rise and join Senator Kennedy in introducing the Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act. One of Congress's biggest challenges year in and year out is providing access to affordable quality healthcare for the American people. Today, I am pleased to announce that Senator Kennedy and I have found an opportunity to provide injured Federal workers with a better system of reimbursable healthcare for their workers compensation claims. Physicians assistants and nurse practitioners are vital contributors to our healthcare system. Together, they provide economical quality medical care to the American people. Unfortunately, however, they are currently not recognized in the current FECA statute. When Federal workers' compensation claims are signed by NPs or PAs, the Federal Government denies these claims. With the introduction of this bill, Senator Kennedy and I want to correct this hurdle to economical medical care. The need for this straightforward legislation is clear. In some rural area health clinics, NPs and PAs are the only full-time providers of medical care. Likewise, NPs and PAs may be the only healthcare professionals on-site after hours at local clinics. These professions are regulated by all States and are covered providers within Medicare, Tri-Care, and nearly all private insurance plans.…”