Federal legislation introduced to boost workers’ comp
- Several lawmakers introduced a bill called the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act.
- The bipartisan bill would amend the Federal Employees Compensation Act to allow injured workers to receive treatment for work-related injuries.
- This care would come from state-licensed physician associates/physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
- Current law prohibits federal workers from being treated by the PAs and NPs for worker compensation cases.
Delaware workers’ comp thriving
- Delaware ranked second in the rate of emergency department use among workers seeking care for new injuries from the first quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2021, WCRI found.
- These emergency department visits play a key role in the workers’ compensation system.
- Emergency department utilization for initial medical services ranged from 14 percent in Arizona to 37 percent in Massachusetts.
- The Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on where workers went for treatment. Emergency departments are the most costly way to enter the treatment system.
Coroners left out of workers comp bill
- Idaho lawmakers have left out coroners from first responders’ psychological trauma workers’ compensation bill.
- Lawmakers originally passed the law in 2019, but it is set to expire on July 1.
- Another measure — House Bill 18 — would make the law permanent.
- “It’s unfortunate that coroners and forensic pathologists and administration in that office don’t get to utilize any of those services,” Former Ada County Coroner Dotti Owens said.
Expanded coverage for police, firefighters
- North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill expanding workers’ compensation coverage for law enforcement officers and firefighters.
- The measure allows out-of-state firefighters and peace officers to be treated like those in North Dakota for work-related injuries.
- The bill also eases restrictions for coverage regarding cardiac events for firefighters and peace officers who relocate to North Dakota.
- The law previously had a five-year minimum for full-time first responders to work in the state to be covered through Workforce Safety and Insurance.