Congress is rushing to push through a bill that recklessly expands scope of practice at the federal level. Through a parliamentary procedure typically reserved for non-controversial legislation, H.R. 6087, the “Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act,” is scheduled for a House floor vote tomorrow. URGENT ACTION NEEDED: VOTE TOMORROW! If passed, this bill would allow nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to diagnose, prescribe, treat, and certify an injury and extent of disability for purposes of compensating federal workers under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA). To take this function away from physicians who have the proper education, training, and expertise to make these evaluations is a threat to the practice of medicine and quite simply, unacceptable. Not only does H.R. 6087 threaten patients’ health and safety, but its dangerous approach has also been shown to lead to increased health care costs while doing little to expand access, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The AMA sent a letter to Democratic and Republican Congressional leaders detailing these and other pitfalls associated with this legislation. You can access a copy here. The proponents of H.R. 6087 know its controversial nature which is why they are trying to rush it through with a vote tomorrow. Use this link to send an urgent message to your legislators before it’s too late: VOTE NO on H.R. 6087. It is critical that as physicians, we stand together and send a powerful message to Congress: Don’t support legislation that prevents physicians from being at the center of critical health care decisions: VOTE NO on H.R. 6087. | 
