in addition to the provisions included in #.R. 3756 as passed by the
House of Representatives, the Adm 1istration recommends the enactment
of two other provisions.
The first of these provisions invo]ves additional ompensation for a
limited number of nuclear fallout victims.
Section 104 of P.L. 95-134, paragraph a(l), provided for the compensation
to the inhabitants of Rongelap Atoll and OUtirik Atoll for renoval of the
thyroid gland or a neurofibroma. in the neck or the develooment of
hypothyroidism or a radiation-related malignancy that may have
arisen due to radiation exposure sustained as a result of a them
nuclear detonation at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands om
March 1, 1954. At the time. P.L. 95-134 (H.R. 6550) was being considered,
all concerned with the problem of the fallout victims believed that
gection 104 of B.R. 6550 covered allpotential cases for conpensation.
Recently, however, several cases which warrant additional compensation
have been called to or attention. These cases involve individuals
who have already received compensation under section 104(a) (1) of
P.L. 95-134. In the opinion of the Administration, these individuals
should receive additional compensation. However, this Department's
Soliciter has determined that one of the individuals is not entitled
to receive additional payments urder section 104(a) (3) of P.L. 95-1,
since she received compensation under section 104 (a) (1).
Two of these individuals were compensated under section 104 (a) (1)
for one condition ard later developed another conditian listed in
section 104(a) (1). The third individual of whom we are aware had her
parathyroid glands removed in error at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guan.
It was her thyroid gland which should have been remved because of her
exposure to radioactive material which fell on Rongelap in 1954.
The
parathyroidectamy presents a more serious condition than a thyroidectany,
with more serious conseyuences.
.
In view of the very special circumstances surrounding these cases,
the Administration requests that the Secretary be authorized to grant
additional compassionate compensation. It recommends the following
corrective legislaticn:
:
Sec. 104(a) (3) of Public Law 95-134 (91 Stat. 1159) is hereby
amended by deleting all after the word “cause” and inserting
in lieu thereof the following words, °, even if such an individual
has been compensated under paragraph (1) of this secticn.".
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