August 30, 2007The Honorable Judd GreggUnited States Senate393 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510Dear Senator Gregg:We the undersigned are members of an online community of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers,and most of us have or have had workers' compensation claims with the U.S. Department of Labor. We are writing to you because we are concerned about the treatment that we or our fellow members have received from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, itssubcontractor ACS, and the Peace Corps Office of Medical Services. We are also concernedabout inefficiencies and deficiencies in the federal workers' compensation system that result in:1. Delayed claims processing;2. Lack of continuity in claimant medical care;3. An inability or unwillingness on the part of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programsto respond to requests by claimants and to treat claimants and their medical providers withdignity and respect;4. Difficulties on the part of claimants in finding local medical providers who will accept federalworkers’ compensation cases; and5. Poor management of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds.As you undoubtedly know, the Office of the Inspector General of the Peace Corps is "conductinga review of post-service applications by former Peace Corps staff and Volunteers for benefitsunder the Federal Employees Compensation Act." While we are supportive of the Inspector General's efforts to varying degrees, we believe that a parallel investigation of the agenciesinvolved in the provision of workers' compensation benefits to Returned Peace Corps Volunteerswould identify weaknesses in the system that, if corrected, would better promote economy andefficiency and prevent waste, abuse, and fraud. Claimants would receive better service, andtaxpayers would reap the benefits of a more efficient bureaucracy.
The Honorable Judd GreggAugust 30, 2007 page 2Accordingly, we are asking you to consider requesting a Government Accountability Officestudy of how well the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, ACS, and the Peace CorpsOffice of Medical Services meet the medical needs of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who areeligible for benefits under the Federal Employees Compensation Act because of injuriessustained or illnesses contracted during their tours of duty. We would like the study to include, but not necessarily be limited to, an evaluation of the following:1. The commitment and progress on the part of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs(OWCP) to honor its Pledge to Customers and implement its Mission and Vision statements;2. The adequacy of the qualifications and training of OWCP claims examiners, supervisory personnel, managers, and executives;3. The accuracy and timeliness with which OWCP adjudicates claims, and OWCP and ACSmake payments to claimants and their medical providers;4. The ability of OWCP to properly assess the medical needs of Returned Peace CorpsVolunteers, whose conditions may be very different than those the agency typically sees;5. The degree to which OWCP provides proper oversight to ACS;6. The relationships of OWCP with ACS and the Peace Corps Office of Medical Services(OMS), and whether those relationships are to the benefit or detriment of claimants;7. Improvements, if any, that have been implemented by OWCP because of recommendationscontained in previous Government Accountability Office and Inspector General reports; and8. The performance and capability of OMS to assist claimants in their dealings with OWCP, both immediately post-service and later if the need arises.In addition to a Government Accountability Office study, we would like you to consider askingPeace Corps to appoint a person to act as an ombudsman or advocate for Returned Peace CorpsVolunteers who encounter problems in obtaining the post-service medical care to which they arelegally entitled.
The Honorable Judd GreggAugust 30, 2007 page 3Thank you very much for your time and attention, and for considering our requests. We look forward to your reply. If you have any questions or need further information, please do nothesitate to contact us. Several of our members would be happy to provide their case histories if that would be helpful to you.Sincerely,
On behalf of myself and the other persons whose names appear below
Kevin Clark 152 May StreetCanaan, NH 03741Eleanor Sue Trone Naples, FLsusietrone@mac.com Nancy Tongue New York, NYFourDirect@aol.comFelicia KenneyEugene, OR felicia@panix.comAndy Sterioff Minneapolis, MNandstereo@hotmail.comAbbey BrownAlexandria, LAabbeyrd99@yahoo.comSue MurrayOregon City, OR bunstg@hotmail.comChristine Berna Link Washington, DC &Heidelberg, Germanyclberna@mac.comCharles Vogl New Haven, CTzamcharles@hotmail.comSalissa WahlersShelburne, VTsalissa76@hotmail.comJay CeveloIndianapolis, IN jaysweep@yahoo.comIrene StottsMontpelier, VTirenestotts@comcast.netLaura PerovichHanover, NHlperovich@gmail.comSylvia FaginMontpelier, VTsylviamalia@yahoo.comMargaret WallaceBurlington, VTdropjohn@hotmail.comBrian Clappier Milwaukee, WI bjclappier@gmail.com
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Gregg 2007aug30
This is a letter that members of the OWCP Yahoo! Group sent to Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) on August 30, 2007. The letter was also sent to several other Senators and Representatives. To date, none of…
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