EEOICPA Rule Changes – Public Comment Time Expanded

Earlier this week the Department of Labor announced that they are extending the comment period for a set of proposed rule changes to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA). Part of the expanded public comment period is for the newly established EEOCIPA Advisory Board to hear the public comments during their meeting on April 26th – 28th. Public comments will be open until May 9th.

A bipartisan group of Senators wrote letters to the Labor Secretary, Thomas Perez, voicing their concerns for some of the proposed changes in the EEOICPA Process. Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico stated: “EEOICPA has been plagued with bureaucratic hurdles and delays for years, and I’m concerned that the Department of Labor’s latest rule change will just add more steps to the process and make it harder for sick workers to prove a case.” Udall said. “Extending the public comment period is a positive sign, and I encourage all New Mexicans to weigh in. But we also need to make sure the new Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health has a chance to review the program before any major changes occur.”

The proposed changes include many clarifications on definitions with the intention of creating a more consistent process among those who handle EEOICPA Claims. Additionally, some smaller changes regarding signatures from medical practitioners, reopening claims based upon new medical evidence, and more specification on what medical benefits Part E claims will pay for.

To read the complete list of proposed changes, please read the article on the Federal Register. Please note that none of these changes are final or official.

If you have any opinions on the proposed changes please contact the EEOICPA Advisory Board by emailing them at [email protected] or by phone at (202)-343-5580 before May 9th.