DOL Rule Changes
Challenge to DOL Rule Changes continues
Thank you to everyone who made the effort to email or call DOL Secretary Acosta's office over the past few weeks to ask him to stop the implementation of the EEOICP rules changes. From what we have been able to track, more than 2,000 emails and calls were logged.
Unfortunately, despite all your concerns, the DOL ignored the wishes of the Americans it serves and implemented the controversial rule changes, as scheduled, on April 9.
But that doesn't mean the battle is over. In fact, just the opposite is true. We are more determined than ever to oppose the changes that we believe will adversely affect the quality and timeliness of care promised to the Americans covered under the EEOICP.
The lawsuit that Professional Case Management (PCM) filed against the DOL to roll back the rule changes is ongoing. Cold War Patriots, a division of PCM, is committed to keeping you updated on any progress made on the legal front. Please check back regularly for further updates.
DOL Changes
With these changes, the DOL is going back on that promise. Hear directly from workers impacted by these changes.
This battle goes back more than three years when the U.S. DOL first proposed the rule changes. PCM shared many concerns with the DOL including the introduction of preauthorization for care, a 36-step process to do so, while preventing health care professionals to assist in the process. This new process can cause up to a 60 day delay in care authorization. Cold War Patriots, as a division of PCM, also shared many of your concerns, along with many other organizations from the nuclear defense and uranium community. Nearly 2000 comments were shared, most of them objecting to the proposed rule changes.
After three years without any communication, the U.S. DOL abruptly published the final rule changes in February of this year. We were outraged to see that it had ignored practically every concern expressed. Feeling there was no other choice, PCM took legal action. The lawsuit alleges that the rule changes will make it much more difficult for patients to access the care they need in a timely fashion. The hope is that the U.S. DOL will be convinced instead to work collaboratively with stakeholders like you.
We will continue to keep you updated on the progress with the lawsuit. In the meantime, we hope you will share this information with your family and friends. Additional information on the lawsuit and the rule changes can be found at www.coldwarpatriots.org/dolchange/faq. If you still have questions, feel free to call us toll-free at 866-301-0412.
March 18, 2019 Professional Case Management News Release
Lawsuit Filed Against U.S. Dept. of Labor Over Rule that Could Prevent Thousands of Sick and Dying Workers From Receiving Health Care. Read more…
March 19, 2019 Professional Case Management Lawsuit FAQ
PCM has provided some answers to frequently asked questions about the rule changes. Read more…
March 19, 2019 Professional Case Management Lawsuit
To read the full details of PCM’s Legal Complaint, read more here.