— . — .—. — Proposal. Mr. Dorm Gaeda then discussed the budget aspects set forth on pages 104 and 110 of the document. The budget proposal for the four atolls plan includes costs for a special charter ship making at least eight visits a year to the named four atolls. Discussion on the Loma Linda Proposal Mr. Safford, State, asked if there would be sizeable reduction of costs in the four atoll plan if the special ship could be eliminated. Dr. Hart indicated that, in time if airfields were built on all of the atolls (i.e., Rongelap and Utirik, Kili “Island) air transPortation could be used, but there would still be certain primary care services that could not be met by, using air service. Mr. Cogswell, OMB, referred to P.L. 96-205 and asked what is the responsibility of the Government of the Marshall Islands for It was noted that providing basic health care to its citizens. the budget proposals for the four atoll proposal, as well as a health care proposal for all of the Marshalls, included a first year contribution of $3.5 million from Marshall Islands Government funding, and MIG funds also would be available in continuing years. In answer to a question on cost escalation, Dr. Hart explained that an approximate 20% inflationary factor had been built into the proposal after year one, i.e., 1980. Also population growth had been taken into account. Mr. Gerry, MIALP, stated the proposal was a fine health plan but he denied the fact that radiation problems are not “minimal” as In fact, he believes they are “great” stated in the proposal. Up and beyond the actual radiation aspects, in the Marshalls. there are mental health effects that also are very significant. Special health care for all aspects of radiation related aspects should be provided to the “affected peoples” by the United States Government. He commented that in his estimation, the plan by denying or downgrading the radiation factors has made it politically impossible for the U.S. Congress to accept it. Congress scarcely would underwrite health care for all the people of the Marshalls unless it were shown that the underlying cause was care needed because of results of the U.S.atomic testing program. Additionally, the report was contradictory on the “radiation aspects”. The overall plan stressed “minimal effects of radiation” yet the report in places also stressed the “thyroid abnormalities” of the Rongelapese and Utirikese and other related radiation effects on the exposed people”. He also found the Table 4 on page 27 showed cancer statistics cited unexplained. Would you not to be the leading cause of death in the Marshalls. ex~ect .*—–— in an “undeveloped area” to have other causes more be important? Was it not-possible that radiation exposure might . Had any studies been aone reflected in the cancer statistics? on children? What about the documented reports of birth abnormalities, etc.? Why were these aspects ignored? -8- ‘-