A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers has introduced legislation that would significantly expand eligibility and benefits under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, including increasing certain payments to $150,000 and extending the program for 15 years.
H.R. 10115, introduced Monday, would expand compensation for people exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear testing, Manhattan Project waste and other nuclear-related activities. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary and Energy and Commerce committees.
Among other changes, the measure would expand areas covered by the program to include Guam and broaden existing geographic eligibility in several states. It would also extend relevant exposure periods and add people who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll and response efforts following nuclear weapons accidents near Palomares, Spain, and Thule Air Force Base in Greenland.
The bill would increase compensation for qualifying downwinders to $150,000, up from $100,000, and provide additional reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket medical expenses related to covered diseases that were not paid by health insurance, workers compensation or other benefit programs. It would also raise compensation for certain Manhattan Project waste claims to $150,000.
The legislation would expand the list of compensable conditions to include additional cancers and diseases, including renal and thyroid diseases and prostate, uterine, cervical and skin cancers. It would also reduce certain physical-presence requirements for Manhattan Project waste claims from two years to one year.
The measure would extend authorization for the compensation fund from 2028 to 2043 and the deadline for claims from 2027 to 2042. People who previously received compensation could seek additional benefits if they would qualify for a larger award under the proposed changes.
The bill would also require federal studies of radiation-related health effects, including potential effects on descendants of qualifying individuals, and provide funding for additional radiation exposure screening and education clinics.
This article was first published by Business Insurance.
