FECA Modernization and Cost Containment Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
What this bill does
H.R. 9869, the FECA Modernization and Cost Containment Act of 2026, would amend the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) to change how injured federal workers receive medical treatment. Under the bill, federal agencies would be required to contract with managed care networks (MCNs), and injured employees would generally need to obtain treatment through their agency's MCN, except in medical emergencies or when the network cannot provide needed care. The bill sets standards for MCNs, including fee limits tied to existing Labor Department fee schedules, geographic accessibility requirements, provider performance evaluations, and annual reporting on costs and outcomes. It also creates a 16-member review board to monitor network compliance and provider performance, allows the Secretary of Labor to establish standardized treatment protocols, and permits contracting with outside entities to use predictive analytics, including artificial intelligence, to detect potentially fraudulent claims.
The bill primarily affects federal employees who are injured on the job and rely on FECA benefits, as well as the federal agencies that employ them and the medical providers and managed care companies that would contract to serve them. The Department of Labor would gain new rulemaking and oversight responsibilities.
The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Jimmy Patronis and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It would need to pass that committee, the full House, the Senate, and be signed into law before taking effect. If enacted, the medical-care changes would take effect one year later, with implementing regulations due within six months and agency transition plans due within one year; the Government Accountability Office would later report to Congress on the changes' effects on costs, fraud, and efficiency.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
22 Jul 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9869 do?
- H.R. 9869, the FECA Modernization and Cost Containment Act of 2026, would amend the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) to change how injured federal workers receive medical treatment. Under the bill, federal agencies would be required to contract with managed care networks (MCNs), and injured employees would generally need to obtain treatment through their agency's MCN, except in medical emergencies or when the network cannot provide needed care. The bill sets standards for MCNs, including fee limits tied to existing Labor Department fee schedules, geographic accessibility requirements, provider performance evaluations, and annual reporting on costs and outcomes. It also creates a 16-member review board to monitor network compliance and provider performance, allows the Secretary of Labor to establish standardized treatment protocols, and permits contracting with outside entities to use predictive analytics, including artificial intelligence, to detect potentially fraudulent claims. The bill primarily affects federal employees who are injured on the job and rely on FECA benefits, as well as the federal agencies that employ them and the medical providers and managed care companies that would contract to serve them. The Department of Labor would gain new rulemaking and oversight responsibilities. The bill was introduced on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Jimmy Patronis and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It would need to pass that committee, the full House, the Senate, and be signed into law before taking effect. If enacted, the medical-care changes would take effect one year later, with implementing regulations due within six months and agency transition plans due within one year; the Government Accountability Office would later report to Congress on the changes' effects on costs, fraud, and efficiency.
- Has H.R. 9869 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 9869. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9869?
- H.R. 9869 was sponsored by Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1] (R-FL), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9869?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. (22 Jul 2026).
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