U.S. Senate passes provision to expand health care to downwinders
The summer blockbuster “Oppenheimer” has brought renewed attention to the dawn of the nuclear age.
And on Thursday, the U.S. Senate endorsed a major expansion of a compensation program for people sickened by radiation exposure from weapons testing during the Cold War.
The vote came as part of a massive defense spending bill.
The provisions expanding health care to so-called downwinders exposed to radiation passed on an 86-11 vote.
The measure would extend health care and compensation benefits to previously uncovered areas in Arizona, New Mexico and six other states.
More than 54,000 claims have been filed since the compensation program began in 1992, leading to $2.6 billion being awarded.
The Senate-backed plan would also expand coverage to more former uranium industry workers.
The proposed changes to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act have not been included in the House-approved defense bill.
