AOR LAR UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION NEVADA OPERATIONS OFFICE P.O. BOX 14100 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 69114 MAR 5 Vor BEST COPY AVAILABLE Mahlon E. Cates Manager AEC PROGRAM OF MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF EXPOSED MARSHALLESE For the past nineteen years, the AEC has been conducting annual medical examinations of the Marshallese people who were acci-~ dentally exposed to fallout radiation in 1954. The medical examinations are conducted by a group of doctors and technicians, headed by Dr. R. A. Conard of Brookhaven National Leboratory, at the various island locations where the exposed Marshallese are now living. The group examines exposed personnel at Hawaii, Ebeye, Rongelap, Utirik and Majuro. NV has been assigned the responsi~ bility by Headquarters to provide logistic support for these medical surveys. DBER funds are furnished to NV to PASO/H&N. Annual funding level for one survey per year and other support has been $20,000. The logistic support funding covers the costs of: transportation for BNL personnel and medical equipment, miscellaneous services, supplies and non-medical equipment, travel and per diem for Trust Territory personnel directly participating in the surveys, and travel, lodging and expenses for the exposed Marshallese patients who are brought to the United States for further medical treatment. In connection with the future program requirements, Dr. Conard has advised Bill Streenan that, based upon recent discussions with DBER, BNL will be conducting two surveys per year in the Marshall Islands rather than one. The surveys will continue to cover the exposed Rongelapese and Utirikese and also start base line studies at Bikini in preparation of the natives returning to Bikini. Dr. Conard also advised Streenan that the Congress of Micronesia Bill No. 89 (copy attached) was a subject of discussion at Headquarters. You will note that this bill is quite unusual, but it does give one a little insight as to the present political trends in Micronesia. It is possible this bill may result in increased costs to the AEC because of the additional medical care REPOSITORY Doe/Aso conection —20 Lav wt BOX No. rovven Jans,> “Exon 5 7/0-mMCO 3 BR. CONARD CL zm(2 (923