Town hall meetings in Colorado will assist nuclear weapons workers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host three town hall meetings on March 18 in Westminster, Colorado, to provide nuclear weapons workers, including those who worked at the Rocky Flats Plant, with information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and the medical benefits provided to approved claimants under the program.

The EEOICPA, which is administered by the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to current and former nuclear weapons workers. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits.

At the 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. MDT meetings, DEEIOC staff will present an overview of Parts B and E of the EEOICPA. Members of the Joint Outreach Task Group, of which DEEOIC is a member, will also present information at the town hall meetings and answer questions. Members of the JOTG include the U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Workers Medical Screening Program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Ombudsman to NIOSH for the EEOICPA, and the Labor Department's Office of the Ombudsman for the EEOICPA.

There will an 11:30 a.m. MDT meeting where DEEOIC staff will present information about the medical benefits provided to claimants who have been approved under the EEOICPA, including home health care services and ways to better serve EEOICPA claimants. Staff from DEEOIC's Denver district office and Denver resource center will be available for extended hours before and after each town hall meeting to assist individuals with the filing of new claims under the EEOICPA and to provide claimants with updates on their existing EEOICPA claims.

On July 31, 2001, the Labor Department began administering Part B of the EEOICPA. Part B covers current or former workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working directly for DOE, its contractors or subcontractors, a designated Atomic Weapons Employer, or a beryllium vendor. Part E, created by an amendment to the EEOICPA on Oct. 28, 2004, provides federal compensation and medical benefits to DOE contractor and subcontractor employees who worked at covered facilities and sustained an illness because of exposure to toxic substances.

To date, $742.9 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 7,049 claimants living in Colorado, while more than $11.2 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming town hall meetings or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the Denver resource center toll free at 866-540-4977. These meetings are open to the public and pre-registration is not required. Space is limited and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meeting Location: Westminster City Park Recreation Center 10455 Sheridan Blvd. Westminster, CO 80020

Program Overview:Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. MDT

Presentation Dates and Times:(Note: the same presentation will be given during each session)

Medical Benefit Presentation Date & Time:Wednesday, March 18, 11:30 a.m. MDT

Extended District Office & Resource Center Hours:9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. MDT