ALLIANCE OF NUCLEAR WORKER ADVOCACY GROUPS
Coalition for a Healthy Environment, Knoxville, TN, Harry Williams
865-693-7249
United Nuclear Weapons Workers, St. Louis, MO, Denise Brock 636-366-4428
Grassroots Organization of Sick Workers, Craig, CO, Terrie Barrie 970-824-2260
Tri-Valley CAREs (Communities Against a Radioactive Environment), Inga
Olson 925-443-7148
VIA FAX
January 19, 2005
The Honorable Elaine Chao
U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20210
Dear Secretary Chao:
Thank you for considering ANWAG's request for a teleconference to discuss
our concerns with Subtitle E before the final interim rules are published.
We believe that this conversation will be beneficial and productive to all
concerned.
Recently, some of our members have discovered through DOL Headquarters and
district offices that DOL is providing medical compensation for
consequential diseases related to workers' whose claims have been approved
for beryllium, cancers and silicosis. This is wonderful news. However,
being in contact with sick workers from across the nation, this may not be
common knowledge to them. We are aware of your brochure (dated October
2004 Questions and Answers for Medical Benefits), but the issue of
consequential disease is not explained in any detail. We respectfully
request that you provide the claimants further information on this.
We also have received complaints with respect to how beryllium claims are
being processed. We are aware of ten cases where CBD has been denied,
which according to some physicians should have been approved.
Discrepancies continue to be told to us regarding specific information
required by DOL claims examiners in order for them to determine what
constitutes a positive beryllium case. We have been informed some claims
examiners are requiring workers to submit X-rays even though they have
already submitted documentation that specifically states the workers have
had a positive LPT test and a positive lung lavage. We respectfully
request that all claim examiners be fully trained in what the law requires
to demonstrate Chronic Beryllium Disease and that all decisions follow a
standard that adequately reflects Congressional intent.
Both our national and local organizations sincerely want to work with you
and your staff and with our Congressional offices to be sure this program
finally meets the needs of the sick workers. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Terrie Barrie
For ANWAG Members
C: