Legislation would add later uranium workers to Radiation Exposure Compensation Act benefits

[jpak]

http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2010/04/23/news/doc4bd1df18f2787906146105.txt

CIBOLA COUNTY - A bipartisan group of senators introduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2010, which would provide expanded restitution for Americans sickened from working in uranium mines or living near atomic weapons tests.

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) was joined in introducing the legislation by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mark Udall (D-CO), James Risch (R-ID), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). Companion legislation will be introduced in the House this week by Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM-3).

Among other things, the RECA Amendments of 2010 would build upon previous RECA legislation by further widening qualifications for compensation for radiation exposure; qualifying post 1971 uranium workers for compensation; equalizing compensation for all claimants to $150,000; expanding the downwind exposure area to include seven states; and funding an epidemiological study of the health impacts on families of uranium workers and residents of uranium development communities.

“This is the beginning of what should have been done for these workers a long time ago. We're very hopeful that the legislators will see this amendment through to the end, and do the right thing for this group of people,” said Post '71 Uranium Workers Committee President Liz Lucero.

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[kristopher]

1. This downwinder activists says the bill isn't nearly comprehensive enough

http://www.opednews.com/Diary/The-Black-and-White-World-by-Andrew-Kishner-100425-478.html