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1974/09/08 HR13871 Federal Employees Compensation Act Amendments (1)
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1974/09/08 HR13871 Federal Employees Compensation Act Amendments (1)
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The original documents are located in Box 7, folder "9/8/74 HR13871 Federal Employees
Compensation Act Amendments (1)" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case
Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.
Digitized from Box 7 of the White House Records Office Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
RECCORDS AND ARCHIVES ADMINISTRATION
Gerald R. Ford Library
1000 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2114
1985
This file folder is from the following collection:
Presidential Handwriting File
Presidential Paperwork Log
Press Releases , President's Copies
Reading Copies of Presidential Speeched
White House Records Office Legislation Case Files
President's Daily Diary (activities log)
White House Central Files Nrame File
White House Counsel Philip Buchen's Files
A Presidential Library Administered by the National Archives and Records Administration
ACTION
APPROVED
Last Day: September 7
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 4, 1974
9/8/74
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN COLE
SUBJECT:
ENROLLED BILL H.R. 13871
Attached for your consideration is House Bill, H.R. 13871
amending the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA)
which provides workers' benefits for job-related injury
or death of Federal employees. The bill includes many
desirable technical and clarifying changes in the FECA
law, including several designed to streamline adminis-
trative procedures and speed payments to injured
employees. Its major emphasis, however, is on benefit
liberalization and extension.
The Department of Labor estimates that the additional
outlays required by the bill would be $4.5 million for
fiscal year 1975 and $8.4 million for fiscal year 1976
for benefits, and $500,000 in administrative costs in
fiscal year 1975 only. No provision was made in the
budget for these costs. However, since the increased
benefit costs will be borne by all participants and
agencies it may be possible to absorb them within
regular appropriations.
The Counsel's office, Bill Timmons, the Secretary of
Labor and OMB recommend approval.
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the attached bill at Tab A.
FORD : LIVE
SEPROVESTA
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
AUG 2 8 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 13871 - Federal Employees
Compensation Act amendments
Sponsor - Rep. Daniels (D) New Jersey and 22 others
Last Day for Action
September 7, 1974 - Saturday
Purpose
Liberalizes and improves administration of the workers'
compensation program for Federal employees injured or killed
in line of duty. (The bill's outlay impact is described in
a paragraph near the end of this memorandum and is not large.)
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
Department of Labor
Approval
Civil Service Commission
Approval
ACTION
Approval
District of Columbia Government
Approval
Discussion
H.R. 13871 would amend the Federal Employees Compensation Act
(FECA) which provides workers' compensation benefits for
job-related injury or death of Federal employees. The last
major revision of the FECA law was in 1966. Since that time,
there has been a growing interest in the field of workers'
compensation nationally, including a study of the State
systems by the National Commission on State Workmen's
Compensation Laws. In addition, employees, Members of Congress,
and the GAO have noted the long delays in claims adjudication
and payment by the Labor Department, which administers the
FECA program.
&
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
2
H.R. 13871 was initiated in the House Committee on
Education and Labor, in response to employee organization
pressures for improved administration and higher benefits.
The existing FECA program is already one of the most
comprehensive and generous workers' compensation systems
in the country. While the Administration favored many of
the administrative improvements proposed in the enrolled
bill, it opposed several of the benefit liberalizations.
The bill ultimately enacted was the product of negotiations
between the Labor Department and the congressional committees.
The Department had only modest success in eliminating or
paring down the benefit increases originally proposed.
The enrolled bill includes many desirable technical and
clarifying changes in the FECA law, including several
designed to streamline administrative procedures and speed
payments to injured employees. Its major emphasis, however,
is on benefit liberalization and extension.
Benefit liberalization and extension
The enrolled bill provides numerous increases in existing
benefits, as well as several new benefits. It would:
(1) increase death benefits for survivors in a range of
11 to 14 percent, while retaining the present ceiling of
75 percent of an employee's salary as the maximum a widow
or widower with surviving children may receive. The
increases would apply only to death benefits for widow,
widower or child, and not to other survivors (parents,
brothers, sisters, etc.) recognized in the FECA law. The
Administration originally opposed the increases in death
benefits as excessive, and instead, urged deferral pending
a reexamination of the basis for determining survivor
benefits.
(2) increase the maximum monthly allowance for
necessary attendants for disabled employees from $300 to
$500 and the monthly maintenance allowance for employees
undergoing vocational rehabilitation from $100 to $200.
(3) authorize compensation benefits for up to 312 weeks
for permanent loss, or loss of use, of an important internal
or external body organ not now specified in law (excluding
brain, heart and back, pending further study on those by the
Department of Labor).
3
(4) expand the definitions in the Act to authorize
reimbursement for the services of podiatrists, optometrists,
chiropractors, clinical psychologists, and dentists.
(5) permit a partially disabled employee to participate
in vocational rehabilitation without the reduction in his
benefits now required.
(6) eliminate the existing bar to dual receipt by an
employee of FECA and VA benefits, or FECA and military
retired pay, provided both benefits are not for the same
injury.
(7) permit payment for work-related damage to, or
destruction of, medical braces, artificial limbs and other
prosthetic devices, including compensation for wage loss
while waiting repair or replacement.
(8) continue compensation payments after age 70,
without regard to overall income need and continue survivor
benefits if widower or widow remarries after age 60 (similar
to provisions in Civil Service retirement law).
(9) increase funeral benefits by $200, to $1,000.
(10) extend FECA protection to Federal employees on
Federal jury duty and provide larger FECA benefits to
head-of-household volunteers in the Peace Corps.
(11) eliminate the two-month waiting period for automatic
cost-of-living adjustments in compensation benefits.
(12) extend the cost-of-living adjustment feature to
several small non-Federal groups now covered under the FECA
program by special law.
(13) grant an injured employee (a) mandatory reemployment
and retention rights to his former or an equivalent position
if he recovers within one year and (b) priority in rehiring if
disability extends beyond one year.
4
Administrative and technical improvements
The enrolled bill would make a number of changes designed
to codify present practice and to improve and simplify
administrative procedures. H.R. 13871 would:
(1) permit an injured employee to remain in active
pay status for up to 45 days while his claim is being
processed and adjudicated, to ensure continuation of income
and speed employing agency action in certifying and
submitting the claim to Labor.
(2) allow the employee free choice of approved
physicians and medical facilities, rather than mandating
use of Federal Government facilities and personnel, thus
codifying Labor Department's present practice.
(3) eliminate the dependency requirement now imposed
in order for the husband or widower of a female employee
to qualify for survivor benefits, again codifying the
Department's administrative practice.
(4) extend the statute of limitations on filing claims
from one to three years and the time for giving notice of
injury from 48 hours to 30 days.
(5) reduce from 21 to 14 days the waiting period beyond
which a disability must persist in order to provide
"first day" coverage.
(6) authorize the Labor Department to discharge
compensation liability by a lump-sum payment if the monthly
amount is less than $50, in lieu of the present $5 figure.
(7) provide for use of improved actuarial tables and
for direct purchase by agencies of claims forms from the
Government Printing Office.
(8) require the Postal Service to pay its share of
administrative costs, reflecting the intent of the Postal
Reorganization Act.
(9) grant the Government a statutory lien on amounts
recovered by an injured employee in a suit against a
third party.
5
Another provision of the bill would require an extensive
study by the Labor Department of the FECA program,
together with a report and recommendations to Congress
within 12 months of enactment. The Senate Committee
report recommends that the study review such issues as
-- level and distribution of survivors' benefits in
order to determine the most equitable method of providing
compensation to the family of a deceased employee,
including consideration of an approach based on a
"spendable earnings" concept
-- the adequacy of payments for specific disabilities
-- the feasibility of including disabilities involving
the heart, brain and back in a system of scheduled
compensation, recognizing the difficulty of proving that
injuries to these organs are job-related
-- whether the Secretary of Labor should have
discretionary authority to increase maximum monthly attendant
and maintenance allowances.
Cost
The Labor Department estimates that the additional outlays
required by the bill would be $4.5 million for fiscal year
1975 and $8.4 million for fiscal year 1976 for benefits,
and $500,000 in administrative costs in fiscal year 1975
only. No provision was made in the budget for these costs.
However, since the increased benefit costs will be borne
by all participants and agencies it may be possible to
absorb them within regular appropriations.
Recommendation
In its views letter on the enrolled bill, the Labor Department
strongly recommends approval, stating:
"This Department has worked closely with both
congressional committees involved in formulating
these amendments to the FECA We believe that
H.R. 13871 makes important and needed improvements
in the benefits provided for Federal workers who
are injured in the performance of their duties."
6
We note that the comprehensive study of the FECA program
which the bill requires Labor to make, including "recom-
mendations regarding survivor benefits," " will permit a
reexamination of the benefit structure with an opportunity
to propose desirable changes. Accordingly, while the
Administration did not support many of the benefit increases
we do not believe these liberalizations are sufficiently
serious to warrant your disapproval of the bill.
Ronnel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
ACTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20525
OFFICE OF
THE DIRECTOR
August 23, 1974
Mr. W. H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This will acknowledge receipt of your request for our
views and recommendations on enrolled bill H.R. 13871.
Section 23 (b) of the bill amends Section 8142 (c) (2) of
Title 5 of the United States Code, dealing with the
eligibility of Peace Corps Volunteers for benefits
under the Federal Employees Compensation Act. The
purpose of the amendment is to extend FECA coverage,
at the GS-11 level, to Volunteers who have one or more
minor children at the time they enter Peace Corps train-
ing, and have been designated a head of household for
the purposes of the Peace Corps readjustment allowance.
This change in the Federal Employees Compensation Act
was recommended by ACTION, with the approval of the
Office of Management and Budget, to provide adequate
FECA coverage to this special category of Volunteers,
which was authorized by 1970 amendments to the Peace
Corps Act.
While the language of the enrolled bill is different
from that proposed by this agency and approved by the
Office of Management and Budget, the substantive effect
of the amendment is unchanged, and is consistent with
our recommendation.
The other sections of the enrolled bill do not specifi-
cally affect this agency.
GERALD P. LIBRARY FORD
RECEIVED
AUG 23 4.25 PM1974
OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT& SUDGET
Mr. W. H. Rommel
August 23, 1974
Page Two
We recommend that the President approve the bill.
Sincerely yours,
Maryone bynch
Marjorie Lynch
Associate Director for Domestic
and Anti-Poverty Operations
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
UNITED
STATE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20415
CHAIRMAN
August 23, 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Dear Mr. Ash:
This is in response to your request for the Commission's views
on enrolled H.R. 13871, an act "to amend chapter 81 of subpart
G of title 5, United States Code, relating to compensation for
work injuries, and for other purposes."
Section 22 is the only section of H.R. 13871 directly affecting
the Commission's programs. We are, therefore, confining our
comments to that section.
Section 22 would add a new section (8151) to title 5, United
States Code, to provide certain "civil service retention rights"
for injured or disabled employees. This proposed new section
is designed to protect the rights and benefits of such employees
who resume employment with the Federal Government, and to provide
injured or disabled employees with a measure of job protection.
The Commission previously reported on section 22 of H.R. 13871
and had no objection to its enactment. We did make a few obser-
vations and suggestions, however, which have been adopted and
are reflected in the act or in the Committee report on the bill.
We note, particularly, that the Committee report makes it clear
that the Commission is authorized to promulgate regulations
covering the rights of employees whose injuries or disabilities
are partially overcome, as well as those who have fully overcome
their disabilities.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
130000 183K SVHVN
Aug 21 Live L 12 911974
GENERAL
2.
The Commission has no objection to the provisions of section 22
of enrolled H.R. 13871 and recommends that the President sign the
bill.
By direction of the Commission:
Sincerely yours,
Robert Hampton
Chairman
FORD LIBRARY & GERALD
DISTRICT OF OF COLUMBIA
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WALTER E. WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004
Mayor-Commissioner
August 26, 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in reference to a facsimile of an enrolled
enactment of Congress entitled:
H.R. 13871 - To amend chapter 81 of sub-
part G of title 5, United States Code,
relating to compensation for work inju-
ries, and for other purposes.
The enrolled bill liberalizes in several important
respects provisions of title 5, United States Code,
relating to disability compensation and other bene-
fits afforded government employees who sustain in-
juries while in the performance of their duties.
Its coverage, within the municipal structure of
the District of Columbia, would be coextensive
with present law, and would include all employees
of the District Government and independent District
agencies except those who are under the coverage
of the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Dis-
ability Act of 1957.
In a report to the Office of Management and Budget
dated September 11, 1973 on H.R. 9118, a related
bill, the District Government commented favorably
with respect to the improvements in existing law
made by the bill. However, we expressed general
concern with several of the proposed amendments
which would have had substantial financial impact
on the District's budget. We note that most of
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
RECEIVED
AUG 27 2 16 PK1974
OFFICE CF
MANAGEMENT & BUDGET
these provisions have been eliminated or favorably
modified in H.R. 13871.
The District Government supports the major changes in
the rights and benefits made available to injured govern-
ment employees by the enrolled bill and specifically
those provisions which extend the statute of limita-
tions for filing claims for disability compensation
from one to three years; grant employees who recover
from disabling injuries within one year a guaranteed
right to return to their former or an equivalent posi-
tion; and authorize continuation of an employee's pay,
in cases where the claim for compensation is made on
the basis of a traumatic injury and under regulations
to be promulgated by the Secretary of Labor, for a
period not to exceed 45 days.
The increased and additional benefits in disability
compensation made by H.R. 13871 will result in increas-
ed costs to the District Government, the extent of
which cannot be estimated at this time without actu-
arial experience. The District Government recommends
the approval of H.R. 13871.
Sincerely yours,
WALTER E. WASHINGTON
Mayor-Commissioner
- 2 -
FORD LIBRARY i GERALD
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON
AUG 27 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Dear Mr. Ash:
This is in response to your request for our views on
the enrolled enactment of H.R. 13871, which contains
a number of amendments to the Federal Employees' Com-
pensation Act.
This Department has worked closely with both congres-
sional committees involved in formulating these amend-
ments to the FECA. On August 1, 1974, we reported our
approval of the House-passed version of this legislation
to the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee, recom-
mending the addition of a technical amendment. The
Senate version, which was accepted by the House, included
our suggested amendment. The Senate also made four
substantive changes in the legislation: (1) it extended
the definition of physicians and authorized services to
include dentists, clinical psychologists, optometrists
and chiropractors subject to certain limitations; (2) it
equalized benefits for certain Peace Corps volunteers;
(3) coverage was expanded to include Federal employees
serving as Federal jurors; and (4) damage to prosthetic
devices was also covered. We have no objection to these
provisions.
We believe that H.R. 13871 makes important and needed im-
provements in the benefits provided for Federal workers
who are injured in the performance of their duties. We
therefore strongly recommend that the President sign this
bill.
Sincerely,
GERALD LEBRARY P. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 549
Date: August 29 1974
Time:
10:00 a. m.
FOR ACTION: James Cavanaugh
CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
Andre Buckles
Jerry Jones
Phil Buchen
Bill Timmons
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Wednesday, September 4, 1974 Time:
2:00 p. m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H.R. 13871 - Federal Employees
Compensation Act amendments
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle
West Wing
D
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
Warren K. Hendriks
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 549
Date:
August 29. 1974
Time:
10:00 a.m.
FOR ACTION: James Cavanaugh
CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
Andre Buckles
Jerry Jones
Phil Buchen
Bill Timmons
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Wednesday, September 4, 1974 Time:
2:00 p. m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H.R. 13871 - Federal Employees
Compensation Act amendments
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
Recommend
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
Warren K. Hendriks
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 549
Date:
August 29, 1974
Time:
10:00 a. m.
FOR ACTION: James Cavanaugh
CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
Andre Buckles
Jerry Jones
Phil Buchen
Bill Timmons
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Wednesday, September 4, 1974 Time:
2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H.R. 13871 - Federal Employees
Compensation Act amendments
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
No oljution
D.C.
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
FORD i LIBRARY
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
Warren K. Hendriks
For the President
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 3, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
MR. WILLIAM WARREN E. TIMMONS HENDRIKS P.AM prwer
SUBJECT:
Action Memorandum - Log No. 549
Enrolled Bill H. R. 13871 - Federal Employees
Compensation Act amendments
The Office of Legislative Affairs concurs in the attached
proposal and has no additional recommendations.
Attachment
GERALD LEBRARY ? FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 549
Date:
August 29, 1974
Time:
10:00 a.m.
FOR ACTION: James Cavanaugh
CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
Andre Buckles
Jerry Jones
Phil Buchen
Bill Timmons
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Wednesday, September 4, 1974 Time:
2:00 p. m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H.R. 13871 - Federal Employees
Compensation Act amendments
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
LIBRARY GERALD P. FORD
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
Warren K. Hendriks
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
RUN
IMMED,
CFCWHPS
sept 8
IT
THEWH
PROPOSED STATEMENT by President Ford Upon Signing H R. 13871,
1974 Amendments to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act
Lakevering On Saturday I)
I have this date signed into law H. R. 13871 -- the 1974 Amendments
to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. This Act provides workers'
compensation benefits for Federal employees injured or killed in the
performance of duty. Since the law was last amended over eight years
ago, a number of social and economic developments have made it necessary
to update and revise the requirements regarding compensation benefits for
injured Federal workers. I feel this new legislation meets those changing
conditions.
This bill will provide for improved protection against rising costs for
Federal employees' and survivors who receive benefits. It also guarantees
re-employment rights at the same or an equivalent position upon recovery
within certain time limitations. Finally, the bill increases compensation
benefits for survivors.
Therefore, I am pleased to sign this bill, which will assure quality
protection for a very deserving group of workers' -- the Nations' Federal
employees.
A2#B
GERALD LIBRARY P. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ACTION
September 6, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
KEN MCOLE COLE
SUBJECT:
Signing Statement - HR 13871
Attached for your consideration is a signing statement to be attached
to H.R. 13871 which you signed this week amending the Federal
Employees Compensation Act (FECA).
In view of your deferral of the Federal Employees pay raises, we
recommend that a signing statement on this piece of legislation which
benefits Federal Employees be issued.
The Counsel's Office, Bill Timmons, Paul Theis, and OMB recommend
approval.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you approve the signing statement at Tab A.
MAY
Approve
Disapprove
Attachment
FORDS is GERALD LIBRARY
PROPOSED STATEMENT by President Ford Upon Signing H.R. 13871,
1974 Amendments to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act
I have this date signed into law H. R. 13871 -- the 1974 Amendments
to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. This Act provides workers'
compensation benefits for Federal employees injured or killed in the
performance of duty. Since the law was last amended over eight years
ago, a number of social and economic developments have made it necessary
to update and revise the requirements regarding compensation benefits for
injured Federal workers. I feel this new legislation meets those changing
conditions.
This bill will provide for improved protection against rising costs for
Federal employees' and survivors who receive benefits. It also guarantees
re-employment rights at the same or an equivalent position upon recovery
within certain time limitations. Finally, the bill increases compensation
benefits for survivors.
Therefore, I am pleased to sign this bill, which will assure quality
protection for a very deserving group of workers' -- the Nations' Federal
employees.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
FOR IMMEDIAT & RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 8, 1974
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
On Saturday I signed into law H.R. 13871 -- the Amendments to the Federal
Employees' Compensation Act. This Act provides workers' compensation
benefits for Federal employees injured or killed in the performance of
duty. Since the law was last amended over eight years ago, a number of
social and economic developments have made it necessary to update and
revise the requirements regarding compensation benefits for injured Federal
workers. I feel this new legislation meets those changing conditions.
This bill will provide for improved protection against rising costs for Federal
employees' and survivors who receive benefits. It also guarantees re-employ-
ment rights at the same or an equivalent position upon recovery within certain
time limitations. Finally, the bill increases compensation benefits for
survivors.
Therefore, I am pleased to sign this bill, which will assurequility protection
for a very deserving group of workers' -- the Nations' Federal employees.
#
#
#
FORD
LIBRARY