House approves reform legislation for federal program

The U.S. House of Representatives has given the federal workers' comp system its first major boost in nearly 40 years, according to supporters of legislation that would reform the system.

The bill has been sent to the Senate where its first stop was the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The legislation would revamp the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, which was established in 1916 to cover the needs of federal workers injured on the job. The program is operated by the Department of Labor.

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Louisiana signs on to put a stop to misclassification of employees (03/05/12)
Oklahoma governor signs comp reform legislation (06/16/11)

H.R. 2465 was introduced with bipartisan support. Sponsors say it will help eliminate waste and inefficiencies that have crept into the system.

Among other provisions, it:

Modifies the definition of medical, surgical, and hospital services and supplies to include physician assistants and advanced practice nurses and allows them to certify disability due to traumatic injury during a continuation of pay period.
Extends eligibility for compensation for disability or death resulting from a terrorist attack.
Increases funeral expenses.
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to require a claimant to consent to the release by the Social Security Administration of the claimant's Social Security earnings information as a condition of receiving benefits.
Provides for the continuation of pay for an employee who has filed a claim for wage loss due to a traumatic injury in a zone of armed conflict.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

December 12, 2011

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