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A high-level Department of Energy official believes that
changes to the health care program for nuclear test-affected
islanders from Rongelap and Utrik are maintaining the best
aspects of the old program, while allowing the flexibility
needed to respond to needs of these populations. Deputy
assistant secretary of Energy Steve Carey told the Journal
recently said the Department of Energy is “consolidating the
successful parts of the health program and moving forward to
make it more patient friendly.”
Pacific Health Research Institute (PHRI) of Hawaii ran the
program for seven years under contract to the DOE until June
30.
He believes that the new arrangement will both save money
and provide the services people want. This program, since
the mid-1950s, has provided ongoing medical follow up to the
people who were exposed to Bravo hydrogen bomb test fallout
on Rongelap and Utrik in 1954.
Carey said the plan is to maintain doctors at Majuro and
Kwajalein, utilize the Army’s hospital at Kwajalein for
support, retain the services of Straub Clinic in Hawaii (all
of which continue from the PHRI period), and use a US-based
health care company, Comprehensive Health Services Inc., to
handle US medical referrals and clinic services in the US.
Carey said the DOE was “customizing” the program to meet
the needs of the Rongelap and Utrik exposed population, all
of which is now over 50 years of age. He noted, too, that
many live in Hawaii and the US, so providing access to
clinics in areas nearby to where people are living makes
sense from the point of view for the patients, as well as
saving money for the program.
Bechtel, which provides logistics support for the DOE
program in the RMI, is providing overall coordination for
the Rongelap and Utrik medical program. |
