Congressman Phillip Burion Congressman Sidney R. Yates March 28, 1980 Page Three was presented with a contract which the Department of Energy} had concluded with Tabershaw Occupational Medicine Associates of Rockville, Maryland in the amount of $58,999, excluding travel expenses, for a six month project to send statisticians to the Marshall Islands essentially to verify whether the questionaire was a valid-method of ascertaining historical information on only one form of radiation induced disease. The Department of Energy indicated that only after this six month project was completed would the Department consider sending medical doctors to determine the scope of the existing radiation related medical problems of the people. Department officials indicated thet this medical survey could take two or more years to complete, during which period the people's medical problems would remain unattended. The delegation from the Marshall Islands was deeply disturbed by the callous unresponsiveness of the Department of Energy proposal. The delegation therefore contacted an independent medical coctor to seek preliminary recommendations regarding most productive, efficient and rapid manner to ascertain the scope of the existing medical problem in order to obtain treatment for the people in need. We were advised that although additional work would be required to design an appropriate medical survey, at a minimum, medical doctors should be sent to Likiep and the other northern atolls to scan the population with appropriate medical equipment to detect not only thyroid but also other types of cancer -, and abnormalities. In addition, blood tests and medical histories would need to be obtained. We were advised that surveying all 600 Likiep people likely could be completed in approximately 3 months time or less. We presented this plan outline to the Department of Energy and requested that it not proceed with its Tabershaw contract but instead utilize appropriate equipment and perscnnel to conduct expeditiously a full scale survey of all current radiation related medical problems. The survey, we suggested, also could be an important step towards devising the plan called for in H.R. 3756. The Department of Energy again proved woefully ‘unTesponsive to these requests. Although offering to send a