The amencment contains! in section 103 would change the present procedure
where the Department of Energy performs and
under the current madical surveillance, care
j
to
One where the Secretary of the Interiar would fui 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 environment
of Rongelap, Utirik, Bikini, and Enewetak, and (2) providing medical care
to those people who may have suffered ey
of
as ohresult
a
Om muclear weapons testing program. The medical part of the program
primarily consists of quarterly examinations of the exposed people arr the
stationing of a resident physician in the Marshall Islands.
addition,
general sick-calls are periodically held for all persons m
affected
atolls. Those who have norrradiation related ailments are refereed to
appropriate Trust Territory medical personnel. Specialized examinations
are also conducted on a periodic basis. Individuals who are diagnosed
as suffering from illnesses or injuries which are likely related to
radiation exposure receive comprehensive treatment umder the Energy program.
Program costs in fiscal year 1979 were about $3. million, with 590 persons .
under direct medical surveillance.
Ihe Administration agrees that the present program should be specifically
authorized, but recommends that the Department of Energy contime to
administer both the medical surveillance and radiological monitoring.
The
Department of Energy has both the meciical and scientific expertise necessary
for proper program management and conftimiity, without the administrative
complexity and cost of one department contracting with another to perform
the program. We also believe that the program should be fimded through
Energy (in consultation with Interior and others) so that program costs
are Claarly reflected as arising from this comtry's nuclear testing
program, not from ouradministration of the territories.
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We, therefore, propose a substitute to.section103 thatcontains the
Administration's recommended changes. --Ouxr proposed substitute would
not only fully extend the Department of Energy's present program to
Enewetak, but it would also give the Secretary of Enargy discretion
to designate as eligible for assistance any other atoll in the Marshalls,
the people of which are detarmined to be in.need of medical surveillance
and care. We believe this flexibility is necessary in order to provide
assistance to amy other Marshallese who may be subsequently found to
have been exposed to radiation as a result of the muclear weapons testing
program.
.
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