Radio version of this story on PRX

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast investigates the complex, frustrating, dysfunctional health care system available to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. This story is the first segment in The Reform Series, a four-part series about Peace Corps reform efforts.

Nancy Tongue, who served in Chile from 1980 to 1982, struggled to get serious illness covered through the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). FECA, which is administered by the Department of Labor, is the only way for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to get compensation for their service-related medical issues. FECA is so dysfunctional, that many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with serious post-service medical conditions are trapped in a medical limbo, unable to get the treatments they need, unable to work due to illness and unable to get help from Peace Corps. Nancy Tongue started a support group for these volunteers called Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers.

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 13 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Alan Toth

Recording and Editorial Assistance by Lauren Schwartzman.

Music: "A Tale" from the album Hang by Laura Inserra. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music

Photos: U.S. Peace Corps & Alan Toth

Interviews with Nancy Tongue, William Harless and Howard L Grahm.

Recommendations to the Peace Corps Director from thePost Service Healthcare Task Force

Peace Corps Healthcare Fact Sheet

Government Accountability Office: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: Labor and Peace Corps Need Joint Approach to Monitor Access to and Quality of Health Care Benefits (2012)

Government Accountability Office: Peace Corps: Long-Needed Improvements to Volunteers’   Health Care System (1991)

Press Release: Hawaii State Representative Jim Shon (1988)

RPCV Health Survey: Hawaii House of Representatives (1988)

Letter: Peace Corps Director Loret Miller Ruppe sends assurances (1985)

Letter: Acting Peace Corps Director Jody K Olsen sends assurances (2009) Page 1, Page 2

Newsletter: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Oregon/Portland: Rehabilitation Center For RPCV's (1991)

Newsletter: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Oregon/Portland: Health Insurance for Disabled RPCV's (1992)

Peace Corps Video: FECA February 2015