4OZees 3rd DRAFT BWWachholz/pbh 12/22/81 TO: Sandy Schneider SUBJ: Interior Proposed Draft Bill, "To amend section 106 of the Act of October 15, 1977, as amended, concerning health care in the Marshall Islands, and for other pruposes." Because of the need for clarification regarding ambiguities in tne lanauace of Public Law 96-205, we concur with the Department of the Interior that amendments to P.L. 96-205 are needed. We also agree with the Department of the interior that the primary uncertainty is the identification of populations wno are to be the beneficiaries of the health, radiological monitoring and education/information programs mandated by the statute. However, we are of the opinion that many, if not all, of the uncertainties and ambiguities associated with P.L. 96-205 could be resolved The _ via administrative decisions by the implementing agency. Andon cn. -— 4. Dorp . . If resolved by . “this mechanism, many of the comments which follow could be eliminated of aptnee > from consideration as amendments to P.L. 96-205 (e.g., geographical coverage, Sent oo ot ime period of benefits). Incorporation of these decisions into the "program ely plan" which must be submitted to the Congress would allow an opportunity for fh Gris4 hth Congress to evaluate whether or not the plan would be consistent with fu oe ‘bplathe intent of Congress. A copy of the Department of Energy legal position tat 4 Ap these matters, provided to the Department of the Interior on October 17, pow Y. 1980, is provided as Attachment A. fw The Department of the Interior's proposed amendments are acceptable in everal respects, but there are a number of issues, additions, changes and comments which we feel would strengthen and further clarify the statute. / We agree that: x