The amendment containsd in section 103 would change the present procedchre
where the Department of Energy performs and pays for the services rendered
under the current medical surveillance, care and mnitorirng program,
one where the Secretary of the Interior would fim 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 who may have suffered illness or injury as a result of
our moclear weapons testing program. The medical part of the program
primarily comsists of quarterly exeminations of the exposed people ar: the
stationing of a resident physician in the Marshall Islands.
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In addition,
general sick-calls are periodically held for all) persons am the affected
atolls. Those who have nor-radiation related ailments are referred to
appropriate Trust Territory medical personnel. Specialized examinations
are also conducted on a periodic basis. Individuals who are diagrosed
as suffering from ilinesses or injuries which are likely related to
radiation exposure receive comprehensjve treatment under the Energy program.
Program costs in fiscal year 1979 were about $3 million, with 590 perscns .
The Administration agrees that the present program should be specifically
authorized, but recommends that the Departtient of Enercy contime to
administer both ¢he medical surveillance and radiological monitoring.
The
Department of Energy has both the medical and scientific expertise necessary
for proper program management and confimuity, 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
We, therefore, propose a substitute tosection_103 that contains the
Administration's recommended changes. --Qur proposed substitute would
mot only fully extend the Department of Fnergy's present program to
Enewetak, butit would also give the Secretaryof Energy discretion
to designate as eligible far assistance any cther atoll in the Marshalls,
the people of which are determined to be in.need of medical surveillance
and care. We believe this flexibility is necessary in order to provide
assistance to any other Marshallese who may be subsequently fomd to
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have been exposed to radiation as a result of the nuclear weapons testing
cape
ER
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