people, whereas the HEW ceiling standard recommends 4 beds per thousand. We, therefore, cannot support the authorization contained in Section 202. However, the Department of Interior in cooperation with HEW is willing to report to Congress by June 1, 1980, as to the Northern Mariana hospital needs and costs. We would not object to having such an endeavor be required by statute. - Section 302 would forgive the payment of interest by Guam on all funds borrowed pursuant to the Guam Re- habilitation Act of November 4, 1963, and would apply interest already paid against principal owed. As of May 15, 1979, $35.6 million in principal remained outstanding out of $41.5 million originally borrowed. Since borrowing the money, Guam has paid $18.1 million in interest. If the interest forgiveness provision of Section 302 becomes law, $17.5 million in principal would remain to be paid by Guam. The Administration continues to oppose debt forgiveness for Guam. - Section 601 would require the consolidation of all Department of the Interior grants-in-aid to a territory by making certain optional provisions of Section 5 of Public Law 95-134 mandatory, and would also waive ‘any requirements for local matching funds and for written applications or reports associated with such grants. The Administration opposes this provision because it believes that the Department of the Interior should not be singled out in this matter. t The Administration would approve the following sections if amended: - Section 103 would establish a comprehensive medical program under the direction of the Secretary of the interior to ensure medical treatment for the inhabitants of Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap, and Utirik who were subjected to radiation damage as a@result of United States nuclear testing in the Pacific. We strongly believe that the people of the Marshalls who have been exposed to radioactive hazards resulting from nuclear testing require regular medical surveillance, and where necessary, treatment. At present, the Department of Energy provides such service, and has conducted radiological surveys of the affected atolls. The Administration believes that such a program must continue and has no objection to it being statutorily required. We strongly recommend, however, that the language of Section 103 be amended as requested in our ae . a ae -¢ "Fs. 7 fe 4 phe es ‘ De