Congress expands responsibility for Advisory Board and EEOICP

Both the House and the Senate approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 which expands the responsibilities of the Board which advises the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupation Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP).  The changes were introduced by Congressman Ed Perlmutter and was accepted by both chambers on December 17, 2019.

The changes will allow the Ombudsman to provide guidance and advice in addition to documenting the number and types of complaints about the program.

The Board will now be permitted to provide advice to DOL on every aspect of the adjudication process, including claims for medical benefits, and reviewing future changes to policies and to the procedure manual before they are published.  The amendment also instructs DOL to make “…available to the Board the program’s medical director, toxicologist, industrial hygienist and program’s support contractors as requested by the Board.”

The expanded roles will become effective on December 20, 1019 when President Trump signs the legislation.