“After Injury, the Battle Begins: Evaluating Workers’ Compensation for Civilian Contractors in War Zones.”

Nathan White (202)225-5871 

For Immediate Release:

Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Chairman Domestic Policy Subcommittee

 Hearing:

After Injury, the Battle Begins: Evaluating Workers’ Compensation for

Civilian Contractors in War Zones

 Date: June 18, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154

 On Thursday,

Domestic Policy Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled,

“After Injury, the Battle Begins: EvaluatingWorkers’ Compensation

for Civilian Contractors in War Zones.”

This hearing will examine the handling of workers’ compensation insurance

for federal contractors working oversees known as Defense Base Act

(DBA) insurance.  The issue made recent headlines after reports by ProPublica,

 the Los Angeles Times, and ABC News revealed that American International Group (AIG)

and other carriers have inappropriately denied and delayed health insurance claims from

civilian contractors killed or injured in Iraq.  According to those reports,

AIG is the primary insurer retained by contracting firms, handling almost

90% of civilian claims filed in the war zones in 2007.

The hearing will explore ways to increase oversight and improve the DBA workers’ compensation program in order to enhance protections afforded to injured civilian contractors.

Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) is expected to participate in this hearing.

Will provide C Span link as soon we can get one