for the services rendered under the current medical surveillance, care ani mmnitoring program, to Qne where the Secretary of the Interior would fird the program, but could request the Department of Energy to administer it. The Department of Energy is presently conducting a program under a general authorization for (1) radiological monitoring of people and the envirorment of Rongelap, Utirik, Bikini, and Enewetak, ard (2) providing medical care to those people whomay have suffered iliness or injury as a result of our nuclear weapons testing program. The medical part of the program primarily consists of quarterly examinations of the exposed people ard the stationing of a resident physician in the Marshall Islands. In addition, general sick-calls are periodically held for all persons an the affected atolls. Those who have norrradiation related ailments are referred to appropriate Trust Territory medical personnel. Specialized examinations are also conmhcted on a periodic basis. Individuals who are diagrosed as suffering from illnesses or injuries which are likely related to radiation exposure receive comprehensive treatment under the Energy program. Program costs in fiscal year 1979 were about $3 million, with 590 persons . The Administration agrees that the present program should be specifically authorized, but recommends that the Department of Energy contimue to administer both the medical surveillance and radiological monitoring. The Department of Energy has both the medical and scientific expertise necessary for proper program management and contimuiity, without the administrative complexity and cost of one department contracting with another to perform the program. We also believe that the program should be funded through Energy (in consultation with Interior and others) so that program costs are clearly reflected as arising from this country's nuclear testing program, mot from our administration of the territories. omme m ee ee We, therefore, propose @ substitute tp section 103 that contains the Administration's recommended changes. Our proposed substitute would mot only fully extend the Department of Fnergy's present program to Enewetak, but it would also give the Secretary of Energy discretion to designate as eligible for assistance any other atoll in the Marshalls, the people of which are determined to be in-need of medical surveillance amd care. We believe this flexibility is necessary in order to provide assistance to any other Marshallese who may be subsequently foumd to have been exposed to radiation as a result of the nuclear weapons testing program. moe re