NSA President Mike Bina’s letter in support of H.R. 3170
Posted: November 15, 2025
The following letter was sent to congressional leaders by NSA President Mike Bina on behalf of the NSA, in support of the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 3170). This legislation would allow Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to authorize and treat federal employees (including all wildland firefighters) who are injured on the job under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA).
Currently, only medical doctors can authorize and provide medical services under the FECA. This becomes a problem, especially in rural areas where smokejumpers and others have to travel great distances to be seen by a medical doctor when nurse practitioners and physicians are more readily available and accessible.
