Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act
Passed HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
IntroducedMay 14, 2026
Passed HouseJul 20, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet
Where it stands
Passed House. Latest step, Jul 21, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The House passed it 396–0.All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.
How this bill changes the law
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H.R. 8823 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jul 21, 2026).
adds
changes words
removes or repeals
renumbers
Dashed lines: proposed, not law.
H.R. 8823Bill
Sec. 2(a)In general3 changes
5 U.S.C. 8103Medical services and initial medical and other benefits
(b) The Secretary, underSubject to subsection (c), the Secretary, under such limitations or conditions as he considers necessary, may authorize the employing agencies to provide for the initial furnishing of medical and other benefits under this section. The Secretary may certify vouchers for these expenses out of the Employees' Compensation Fund when the immediate superior of the employee certifies that the expense was incurred in respect to an injury which was accepted by the employing agency as probably compensable under this subchapter. The Secretary shall prescribe the form and content of the certificate.
The bill says: in subsection (b), by striking "The Secretary, under" and inserting "Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary, under"; and
(c)(1) The Secretary of Labor may suspend payments to a provider of services, appliances, or supplies furnished pursuant to subsection (a), or vouchers or certifications described in subsection (b) for the expenses incurred by the employing agency with respect to such a provider, if the provider has been convicted of fraud with respect to—(A) this subchapter;(B) any Federal health care benefit program (as defined in section 24 of title 18, United States Code); or(C) any State program for which payments are made to providers for services, appliances, or supplies similar to such services, appliances, or supplies provided pursuant to this subchapter.(2) The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.
The bill says: by adding at the end the following:
From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.
What it does
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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.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, May 14, 2026).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
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Jul 20, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 0 (Roll no. 251). (text: CR H4654) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
May 14, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress