"We expect the vast majority of people to pay," a spokesman said, on condition that his name not be used, in accordance with agency policy.

Many factors other than relative risk determine agency policy on a given problem, he added.

Once everyone's views have been taken into account, final decisions about agency policies and operations are my responsibility.

And the specialists worry that a new agency policy will further limit the access to such treatments.

To that end, the executives running the separate offices meet twice a month to discuss overall agency policy and share ideas.

This is a refreshing change in agency policy after a decade of inaction.

But, he said, "We are not going to change agency policy."

Statutes or agency policies may mandate public hearings during this period.

Under agency policy, those cases should be immediately divided up among co-workers.

He said the reduction in serious accidents was a result of an agency policy promoting safety.