U.S. Department of JusticeU.S. Department of Justice Radiation Exposure Compensation ProgramRadiation Exposure Compensation Program
Presentation to U.S. Department of Health and Human Presentation to U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesServices
Health Resources and Services AdministrationHealth Resources and Services AdministrationORHP Grantee Partnership MeetingORHP Grantee Partnership Meeting
September 1, 2009
Dianne S. SpellbergActing Assistant Director, Torts Branch
Operation CROSSROADS (Shot BAKER), Pacific Test Site 1946
2
From 1945 through 1962, the United States conducted nearly 200 atmospheric From 1945 through 1962, the United States conducted nearly 200 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act nuclear weapons tests. Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
(“RECA”), 42 U.S. C. § 2210 (2006), on October 5, 1990, and later broadened the (“RECA”), 42 U.S. C. § 2210 (2006), on October 5, 1990, and later broadened the scope of the Act’s coverage on July 10, 2000.scope of the Act’s coverage on July 10, 2000.
RECA
Federal Radiation CompensationNetwork of Interagency Systems
DOJHHS
DOD
DVADOL
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP)
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP)
Offset Calculation for Uniformed Veterans
3
RECA
Radiation Exposure Compensation ActRadiation Exposure Compensation Act
4
RECA
Claim OverviewReceive Claim
Initial Review
60-Day Deficiency Letter: •ID•Presence•NCD
Approval
Requests:•ID•Presence•Medical Records•Declarations
Supplemental Material
Denial
No Response
Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE (Shot BADGER), Nevada Test Site 1953 5
RECA
RECA Program HistoryRECA Program History
July 28, 2009 6
19992000
20012002
20032004
20052006
20072008
2009
0500
1000150020002500300035004000
Number of Receipts DenialsApprovals Pending
RECA
Claims AdjudicationClaims Adjudication(from April 1992 to July 28, 2009)(from April 1992 to July 28, 2009)
Claim Type Pending Approved $ Approved Denied Total
Downwinder 364 13,356 $667,770,000 3,574 17,284
Onsite Participant
53 1,331 $95,238,639 1,562 2,950
Uranium Miner
134 5,105 $509,774,560 3,077 8,314
Uranium Miller
41 1,247 $124,700,000 349 1,643
Ore Transporter
2 258 $25,800,000 98 359
TOTAL 593 21,297 $1,423,283,199 8,660 30,550
7
RECA
OutreachOutreach Since 1992, consistent outreach efforts to American Southwest
Extensive cooperation with Navajo Nation, Hopi, Yavapai Apache, and other Southwest tribes
FY 2009: Navajo Administrative visit to Shiprock, New Mexico, to assist Office of Navajo Uranium Workers and participate in meeting of Navajo Medicine Man Association; Program staff participated in town hall meetings in Grand Junction, CO, and with Yavapai Apache in Camp Verde, AZ
FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009240 hours 537 hours 768 hours 566 hours 8
RECA
Uranium Mining, post-1971• From 1942-1971 the United States
government was involved in the uranium industry. During a significant portion of this time, 1947 thorough 1966, the government was the sole purchaser of uranium ore. After the termination of the government’s procurement program in 1971, the federal government did not purchase any more uranium.
• The Act’s coverage, which ends in 1971, is based on the rationale that the government ceased its involvement in the uranium production industry by that time.
RECA
9
Mohave County, AZ• 1990: Congress passed the Radiation Exposure
Compensation Act– Section 4(b)(1)(C) of the Act: ‘”affected area means, in the
State of Arizona, the counties of Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo, Apache, and Gila, and that part of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon”
• 2000: Congress broadened the scope of the Act’s coverage, but inexplicably struck the phrase “and that part of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon”
• 2002: Congress put back the phrase which included “that part of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon” as a downwind area
At no point has the Act ever covered the part of Mohave County, Arizona, that is south of the Grand Canyon
RECA
10
Pending Legislation Related to Pending Legislation Related to RECA – 111th CongressRECA – 111th Congress
• S. 1342: To include Idaho and Montana as downwind areas.
• H.R. 1630: To include the Territory of Guam as a downwind area.
• S. 757/H.R. 1828: To add 10 new compensable diseases for downwinder and onsite participant claimants
S. 1342, H.R. 1630, and S. 757/H.R. 1828 were introduced in the 109th and 110th Congressional sessions and re-introduced in the 111th Congress.
RECA
11
Resources and BudgetResources and BudgetResources
Program staff includes an Assistant Director; 1 Senior Counsel; 2 trial attorneys; 12 paralegals; 1 payment specialist; 1 law clerk; and 3 contractor employees.
BudgetMonetary awards are paid from the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Trust Fund.
Since FY 2006, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2005 authorized “mandatory and indefinite” funding for the Program. Also, this legislation directed that the Trust Fund exclusively pay Section 4 claimants (downwinders and on-site participants).
RECA Section 5 claimants (uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters) are paid from the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act Fund.
12
RECA
RECA AND EEOICPA PROGRAMS
WORKING TOGETHER
RECA
Operation CASTLE (Shot BRAVO), Pacific Test Site 195413
Federal Radiation Compensation Network
RECA
14
Part BAdditional $50,000 + medical benefits
Claim approved under Section 5 of RECA (uranium miners, millers and ore transporters)
Within two weeks, RECA Program sends awardees EEOICP information packet:
Cover letterFAQsClaim formsPre-addressed envelope for DOL/Denver
DOL sends letter to the RECA Program requesting confirmation of status under RECA
Routine Use Notice allows DOJ to release information from RECA files
RECA Program sends response to DOL confirming status within 30 days
RECADOJ/DOL Inter-Agency ProcessDOJ/DOL Inter-Agency Process
15
• Part E of EEOICPA requires evaluation of medical and employment records
• Limited burden on claimants to provide this information to DOL
• RECA Program provides copies of medical and employment records directly to DOL
Medical & Employment RecordsMedical & Employment Records RECA
16