-2-< How long will the U. S. provide assistance? charge the people for the services? Will the U. S. in the future It is anticipated that the medical and radiological surveys will continue year after year as long as they benefit the people. No positive commitment for the future can be made for this or any other program that is funded annually by the U. S. Congress. However, there is every likelihood that Congress will continue to support this program as it has in the past. There is no reason to believe that the people will have to pay for services _ provided during the surveys. Why doesn't the U. S. pay the people who go through the trouble of being examined? The people who are examined are helped by the examinations. are sick, their illnesses may be diagnosed. If they Many people who need treatment get the treatment because of the examinations. It should not be necessary to pay people for things which are done for them that will help them. e Will the U. S. take responsibility for future generations who suffer the effects of radiation? , Effects due to radiation exposure of the people on Rongelap or Utirik are not expected in future generations. However, if such damage were to occur and were demonstrated to be related to the radiation exposure to the satisfaction of the U. S. Congress, we are confident that the Government would assume responsibility for the damage.