FR 2021-01098

The document at hand is a notice issued by the Department of Labor (DOL), specifically concerning an information collection request (ICR) related to the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation. This request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, aligned with the procedural requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The key purpose of this notice is to invite public comments on the ICR, which is primarily focused on the collection of information necessary to process medical bills under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

General Summary

The DOL is seeking approval to gather data from businesses, for-profits, and individuals to facilitate the processing of medical treatment bills for employees covered under the EEOICPA. The intent is to ensure that these medical bills, related to occupational or covered illnesses sustained by certain Department of Energy employees, are processed accurately and timely. Public feedback is requested to assess various aspects such as the necessity of the information collection, the practical utility, and methods to minimize any undue burden on respondents.

Significant Issues and Concerns

There are several areas of concern regarding this notice. Firstly, the use of technical jargon associated with EEOICPA might pose a challenge to the general public, who may not be familiar with such specialized terminology. Furthermore, the document does not clarify the methodology used to determine burden estimates, such as the estimated number of respondents or the total annual time burden. This lack of transparency could lead to confusion or skepticism about the data collection process's validity and efficiency.

Additionally, the document frequently refers to a "bill processing agent" without clearly identifying the entity involved. This omission may raise suspicion about possible favoritism or lack of transparency in choosing and utilizing external services. The notice also includes many regulatory references, such as specific Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) citations, without explaining their significance, which can exclude readers who do not have legal or regulatory backgrounds.

Public Impact

Broadly speaking, this document might impact the public by potentially influencing how quickly and accurately medical bills related to occupational illnesses are processed and compensated. If successful, the data collection could lead to more efficient handling of claims, ensuring that affected employees and their families receive timely financial support.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Positive Impacts: For stakeholders directly involved, like covered employees of the Department of Energy and their dependents, this initiative could result in smoother and quicker processing of compensation claims. Faster access to benefits and medical reimbursements would be highly beneficial for those dealing with the fallout from occupational illnesses.

Negative Impacts: However, the businesses and for-profit institutions that provide medical treatment or supplies might face an increased administrative burden if the data collection process is cumbersome or if technical issues arise with the bill processing agent. Without clear guidance and efficient infrastructure, these organizations could experience delays or added costs, which might ultimately impact their operations negatively.

In conclusion, while the initiative seeks to streamline the processing of medical bills for covered workers, it must also address the gaps in transparency and communication identified in this notice. Ensuring clarity and accessibility, as well as providing comprehensive support to respondents, will be crucial for the successful implementation and acceptance of this information collection effort.

The document issued by the Department of Labor concerning the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness (DEEOIC) Authorization Forms provides detailed financial information primarily around the concept of burden costs, specifically stating "Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0." This sentence indicates that the Department of Labor anticipates no additional financial costs directly associated with the annual processing or management of this particular information collection.

Financial Context

The document outlines the estimated resources involved in processing information collections pertinent to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). This Act provides compensation to employees or their survivors who have experienced certain occupational illnesses. An important element here is that while the document offers figures such as the 12,890 estimated respondents and the 11,129 hours of annual time burden, there are no additional identified financial costs directly associated, suggesting a streamlined collection process or existing mechanisms absorbing these costs.

Relating Financial References to Identified Issues

One relevant issue identified in the document pertains to the lack of transparency with the bill processing agent, especially as it relates to costs. The document mentions the use of a private sector bill processing agent but does not disclose any specific financial arrangements or payments to this agent, which could raise concerns about transparency and oversight. This lack of specificity about monetary interactions with the processing agent might leave readers questioning if there are hidden or undisclosed costs.

The absence of specified costs might also tie into the issue of technical language and regulatory references without adequate explanation. For instance, without sufficient context or explanation, readers may not understand why there are $0 additional annual costs despite the presumably significant operational activities implied by processing such a high volume of collection data.

Overall, focusing on the $0 cost reference, it is essential to recognize the implications of how financial resources are managed or anticipated in government communications and reflect upon whether such declarations match the practical workload and labor costs involved in executing the program's responsibilities.