Op-ed: Give Nuclear Exposure Victims a Break

In the op-ed piece written by R. Hugh Stephens, a New York based advocate for nuclear weapons and uranium workers, Stephens recounts his experience working with former workers and expresses just how important it is to provide benefits to workers and their survivors.

Those who become sick as a result of work in the nuclear weapons industry are eligible for health care benefits and compensation from those two federal programs: the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

Currently pending bills would extend the RECP and allow on-site participants and downwinders to receive medical care for their accepted conditions under the EEOICP. Without action from Congress and the President, RECA will expire in July of this year. One path forward is a set of bipartisan bills that would extend and make important improvements to these compensation programs

Read more about Hugh’s experience with nuclear and uranium workers in the articles below:

– MSN (National)

– The Progressive (National)

– The Eagle Tribune (MA)

– The Hastings Tribune (NE)

– Finger Lake Times (NY)