|
US Senators are asking leaders in the House of
Representatives to join them in approving $2 million for the
177 Health Program in the fiscal year 2006 budget now under
consideration in Washington. Senator Pete Domenici, who
chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee,
and Senators Jeff Bingaman and Daniel Akaka sent a letter
last Friday to Rep. Conrad Burns, chair of the House
Interior Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, and Rep.
Byron Dorgan asking them to include the funding in the
Department of Interior’s budget.
The new Compact law did not continue the annual $2
million appropriation for the 177 Health Program “because
the US took the position during Compact negotiations that
nuclear compensation issues should be addressed separately,
and in the context of the Marshall Islands’ petition to
Congress for additional nuclear claims compensation,” the
letter said.
Domenici, Bingaman and Akaka said the Senate Energy
Committee “plans to hold hearings on this petition soon, and
to specifically consider the future health care needs of
those communities affected by the tests.”
They told the House leaders that they appeciated their
support for continuation of program funding last year and
“again ask that you include $2 million in the Office of
Insular Affairs (Interior) budget to continue Section 177
health care services in FY2006, and until Congress
considers, and makes a determination, on future health care
funding needs.” |
