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. 3 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 4 have been exposed to radiation as a result of the nuclear weapons testing cape ER «