Paper Waste

Outdated federal rules force the printing and mailing of billions of sheets of paper every year.

A new proposal from the Department of Labor can change that.

This proposed rule would allow group health plans to deliver plan documents electronically by default.

This commonsense update would significantly reduce unnecessary paper use and better reflect how people prefer to communicate today.

But the DOL shouldn’t stop there. Extending the rule to all ERISA-covered welfare plans, including life and disability plans, could help reduce unnecessary paper use across the estimated 20.4 billion sheets printed and mailed by ERISA health and welfare plans annually – all while saving millions each year.

According to the Environmental Paper Networks Paper Calculator this broader reform could significantly reduce the nation’s environmental footprint each year by:

Saving the equivalent of 2.2 million trees
Conserving 2.16 billion gallons of water
Preventing 1.35 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions
Reducing energy use, landfill waste, and harmful air and water pollution

Tell the Department of Labor to finalize this rule and expand it to all ERISA-covered welfare plans.

Sign the Petition →

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PETITION MESSAGE

DOL: Cut Paper Waste in Health Benefits Communications

To Whom It May Concern:

I strongly support the DOL’s proposal to allow ERISA group health plans to use electronic delivery (e-delivery) by default (RIN 1210-AC35). I also urge the DOL to extend e-delivery to all ERISA-covered health and welfare plans.

The DOL estimates that group health plans currently print and mail up to 11 billion sheets of paper each year to satisfy requirements developed before widespread internet access.

Today, 95% of consumers say that they are comfortable managing their health benefits online. The proposal also ensures that those who prefer paper can continue receiving it at any time and at no cost.

I also encourage the Department to extend the rule beyond group health plans. Extending the rule to all ERISA-covered health and welfare plans, including life and disability plans, is the best way to maximize its benefits.

By one estimate, ERISA health and welfare plans print and mail a combined 20.4 billion sheets of paper annually. An additional analysis found that reducing this waste could help lessen the nation’s environmental footprint each year by:

Saving the equivalent of 2.2 million trees;
Conserving 2.16 billion gallons of water;
Preventing 1.35 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions; and
Reducing energy use, landfill waste, and harmful air and water pollution.

This proposal would help protect our environment, align with consumers’ strong preference for electronic communications, and save millions each year. I urge you to finalize this rule promptly and expand it to all ERISA health and welfare plans.

Your first and last name will be used as a sign-off on the petition.

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Sincerely,