[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6874-6875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3809]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

42 CFR Part 82

RIN 0920-ZA00


Methods for Radiation Dose Reconstruction Under the Energy 
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act of 2000

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Interim Final Rule; Reopening of Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is 
reopening the comment period for the interim final rule for dose 
reconstruction for certain claims for cancer under the Energy Employees 
Occupational Illness Program Act (EEOICPA) that was published in the 
Federal Register on Friday, October 5, 2001. After considering these 
comments, comments previously received, and comments from the Advisory 
Board on Radiation and Worker Health (ABRWH) DHHS will publish a final 
rule.

DATES: Public written comments must be received on or before Friday, 
March 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Attention--Dose Reconstruction 
Comments, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute 
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Robert A. Taft 
Laboratories, MS-C34, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 
Telephone: (513) 533-8450, Fax: (513) 533-8285, email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Elliott, Director, Office of 
Compensation Analysis and Support, National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 
Telephone (513) 841-4498 (this is not a toll free number). Information 
requests may also be submitted by e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 5, 2001, HHS published an interim 
final rule establishing methods for radiation dose reconstruction to be 
conducted for certain cancer claims filed under EEOICPA, Public Law 
106-398 [See FR Vol. 66, No. 194, 50978]. The notice included a public 
comment period that ended November 5, 2001. However, DHHS requested the 
ABRWH to conduct a review of its dose reconstruction methods.
    The ABRWH held its first meeting in Washington, DC on January 22-
23, 2002. Due to the ABRWH's intensive work on the statutorily required 
technical review of the proposed probability of causation rule, the 
ABRWH was unable to complete the requested review of the interim final 
rule. Public comments, both written and oral, were accepted for 
inclusion in the docket on both the interim final rule and proposed 
rulemaking prior to and during the ABRWH meeting. The public comment 
period closed on the last day of the ABRWH meeting, January 23, 2002.
    To allow the ABRWH ample opportunity to complete their review of 
and comments on the interim final rule, the public comment period for 
the interim final rule on dose reconstruction will be re-opened until 
Friday, March 1, 2002. This will allow the ABRWH to have at least one 
more meeting to prepare their comments on the interim final rule, and 
to accept further written and oral comments from the general public at 
its next meeting.
    All written comments on the interim final rule for dose 
reconstruction must be received at the Docket Office on or before 
Friday, March 1, 2002. Written and oral comments made during the 
meeting(s) of the ABRWH prior to Friday, March 1, 2002 will also be 
included in the docket for the interim final rule.


[[Page 6875]]


    Dated: February 12, 2002.
Tommy G. Thompson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-3809 Filed 2-12-02; 3:00 pm]
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