4
5.
The health program should be integrated to the maximum extent feasible with,
health care programs provided
by
the Marshall
Islands Government.
We believe that it is incumbent upon the administering agency not only to
integrate any health care program with the health care plan of the
Marshall
Island Government, but to assure that well
before the terrinaticn
date of the U.S. program, U.S. participation in the program will beair
gradually to decrease with a concommitant increase in participation by
Marshallese medical personnel so that at the time of program termination
the Marshallese are prepared to assume program responsibility should they
desire to do so.
In order to preclude possible migration of peoples from ot*cr atolls snd
islands to those identified in 1. above for the purpose of obtaining benefits
under P.L. 96-205, a method of identification of the beneficiaries will need to
be determined by the implementing agency.
Furthermore, we suggest that
consideration be given to the inclusion under P.L. 96-205 of the Bikinians
living on Ejit Island at Majuro Atoll, although it is recognized that this
entitlement may entail certain practical difficulties inherent in the
existence of different health care systems within the same atoll.
The “other atolls" clause of the statute is at the core of much of the
controversy surrounding interpretation of the statute.
Whereas the Cepartment
of the Interior states that “it is the intention of the Executive Branch" to
investigate claims regarding other atolls, we are not aware of any agreed upon
interagency position on this matter, nor have guidelines for making such
decisions been devised.
Therefore, we would suggest that the wording be
changed to emphasize that such action will be made at the discretion of the
administering agency.