NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Program Reviews

Below is a list of internal and external program reviews conducted on the NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Program. Program reviews help assess how well a program meets its objective, mission, and goals.

NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Program Ten Year Review

2010 marked the tenth anniversary of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (the Act/EEOICPA) of 2000. As of December 31, 2010, NIOSH completed 27,832 individual dose reconstructions and received 182 Special Exposure Cohort petitions. NIOSH conducted a ten-year retrospective review of these efforts.

The ten-year review reflects our commitment to:

• Use rigorous, high-quality science in its programs,
• Apply and work to advance the latest scientific methodologies and practices,
• Address the needs and concerns of stakeholders, and
• Evaluate NIOSH’s on-going programs to ensure that they remain effective, relevant, and responsive.

More information on the review can be found on the Ten Year Review of the Scientific and Administrative Issues Pertaining to NIOSH Program Responsibilities under EEOICPA page of our website and NIOSH Docket 194.

Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report

The Office of the Ombudsman was created by Congress in October 2004 to provide information and to address the concerns of claimants and potential claimants relating to the benefits available under the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman also submits an Annual Report to Congress. The first Annual Report issued in 2005 documented the number and types of complaints, grievances, and requests for assistance received by the Department of Labor (DOL) under Part E of the Act. The report assessed the most common difficulties encountered by claimants and potential claimants. It also raised several issues and comments related to NIOSH’s activities under Part B. NIOSH provided comments and clarification on Part B issues raised in the report.

• Office of the Ombudsman for Part E of EEOICPA: 2005 First Annual Report to Congress
  • NIOSH response to the Office of the Ombudsman’s 2005 First Annual Report to Congress (April 18, 2006) [241 KB (4 pages)]

More information on the Office of the Ombudsman can be found on DOL’s Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Website.

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports

Listed below are reports to Congress from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) that concern the NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Program. GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. GAO’s mission is to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government. Their work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is mandated by public laws or committee reports.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) supports congress by:

• Auditing agency operations to determine whether federal funds are being spent efficiently and effectively;
• Investigating allegations of illegal and improper activities;
• Reporting on how well government programs and policies are meeting their objectives;
• Performing policy analyses and outlines options for congressional consideration; and
• Issuing legal decisions and opinions, such as bid protest rulings and reports on agency rules.

More information can be found on the GAO Website

GAO Reports:

• Actions to Promote Contract Oversight, Transparency of Labor’s Involvement, and Independence of Advisory Board Could Strengthen Program (Oct 26, 2007, GAO-08-4)
• Adjustments Made to Contracted Review Process, But Additional Oversight and Planning Would Aid the Advisory Board in Meeting Its Statutory Responsibilities (February 2006, GAO-06-177)
• Many Claims Have Been Processed, but Action is Needed to Expedite Processing of Claims Requiring Radiation Exposure Estimates (September 2004, GAO-04-958)