H.R. 8823 · Passed House · Government Operations and Politics

Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act

Sponsor: Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA)

What it does

• Explicitly authorizes the Department of Labor to suspend federal workers' compensation program payments to providers convicted of fraud.
• Covers fraud related to the federal program, a similar state program, or a federal health care benefit program such as Medicare.
• Allows suspension of payments for services, appliances, or supplies and of certain initial expenses incurred by an employing agency with respect to the provider.
• Requires Labor to issue implementing regulations.

Official summary

Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act This bill explicitly authorizes the Department of Labor to suspend payments under the federal workers’ compensation program to certain providers convicted of fraud. (Current regulations establish various grounds for excluding a provider from payment under the program, including a conviction for fraudulent activity in connection with a federal or state medical benefit program.) Under the bill, Labor may suspend payments to a provider convicted of fraud related to the federal workers’ compensation program, a similar state program, or a federal health care benefit program (e.g., Medicare). Specifically, Labor may suspend (1) payments to such a provider for services, appliances, or supplies covered under the program; or (2) payments for certain initial expenses incurred by an employing agency with respect to such a provider. Labor must issue regulations to carry out these provisions.

Latest action

Jul 21, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions