Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 8823, Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Representative Ryan Mackenzie to strengthen the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) and address fraud within the program on July 20.
In his prepared remarks, Walberg said, “Federal workers who are navigating an injury deserve timely, honest, and compassionate care—not to become the target of fraud. Programs like FECA exist to ensure these workers receive the medical treatment and support they need to recover. Unfortunately, some bad actors have exploited that trust. Instead of following through on their responsibility to care for injured workers, certain medical providers have treated FECA like a personal ATM—submitting fraudulent claims, abusing the system, and enriching themselves at the expense of both taxpayers and the very people they were entrusted to help.”
Walberg cited testimony from the Office of Inspector General before Congress indicating that since 2015 more than 320 criminal investigations involving FECA had been opened. These investigations led to indictments and convictions of 322 individuals with over $1.7 billion in recovered funds.
“Every fraudulent claim weakens a program that countless injured federal employees depend on,” Walberg said. He added that H.R. 8823 would codify existing Department of Labor policy preventing convicted medical providers from continuing to receive taxpayer-funded payments through FECA: “If someone has been found guilty of exploiting injured workers and stealing public funds, they should not continue to profit from the very program they abused.” He further stated, “This legislation sends a clear message: if you cheat taxpayers, exploit injured workers, and abuse the public’s trust, there will be consequences.”
The House Education and Workforce Committee manages federal programs concerning education, labor, health and workforce development; it also influences policy on issues such as student loans and worker protections. It serves in the legislative sector with jurisdiction over education and labor matters, according to its official website.
Walberg concluded his remarks urging colleagues’ support for H.R. 8823: “I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8823 and tell these scammers that their payday is over.”