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The list of problems to solve in health care may seem endless — health care workforce shortages, provider burnout, affordability concerns, an aging population and the steady rise in chronic conditions. The list goes on and on.
As a physician associate who has served our state for more than 10 years, I know there is no single solution to the challenges we face in Maine and throughout the country. However, each step forward can make a difference.
That is why I want to applaud Sen. Susan Collins for her leadership through the recent introduction of bipartisan legislation, the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act.
This bill would allow physician associates and nurse practitioners to certify and oversee treatment for federal workers with disabilities, injuries and illnesses that occurred on the job. Current law prohibits federal workers from receiving medical care from physician associates and nurse practitioners for worker compensation cases even though they are allowed to select a physician associate or nurse practitioner as their primary health care provider within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
As a physician associate practicing occupational medicine in rural Maine, I see first hand the limitation to access that this current law has created for many Mainers working as federal employees.
By identifying an arbitrary law that can be easily fixed and working across the aisle with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, Collins has demonstrated that we can find common-sense solutions to improve healthcare.
Our challenges may seem insurmountable, but measures like this to ensure improved access and timeliness of care in order for federal workers to return to work more quickly by fully utilizing our health care workforce is certainly a strong start.
Kathleen Moneghan
Dover-Foxcroft
