March 14, 2003
SLAUGHTER CALLS FOR OVERHAUL TO ATOMIC WORKER BENEFITS PROGRAM
Niagara Falls, NY U.S. Representative Louise M. Slaughter today announced legislation to improve the federal benefits program for former atomic workers who have suffered from illness related to radiation, beryllium or silica exposure, as well as their survivors. Rep. Slaughter was joined by former employees of area companies that contracted with the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s.
Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to these workers. They built the weapons that helped our nation win the cold war, said Rep. Slaughter. I was among the earliest supporters of legislation to ensure access to necessary medical treatment and compensation from the government, in recognition of the harm done to them.
Rep. Slaughter explained that in 2000, Congress enacted the atomic worker benefits program with the expectation that affected workers would get timely assistance. However, two years later, only twelve claims out of the over 3,700 claims received from Western New York have been paid.
It is completely indefensible that after two years, the Department of Labor has approved less than one percent of all claims filed in Western New York, said Rep. Slaughter. As I have repeatedly said, time is of the essence. This is an aging and ill population. We must act now to get them the benefits they need and deserve.
Together with her colleagues in the House, Rep. Slaughter will soon introduce the Reform of Energy Workers Compensation Act (REWCA) to ensure that the government treats fairly workers who paid a high personal price to help this nation win the Cold War. The bill will cover more types of cancer, make documentation of health and employment easier, and expand the coverage dates for Western New York atomic workers.
There are fifteen former nuclear facilities located in and around Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester: Ashland Oil, Bethlehem Steel, Bliss & Laughlin, Carborundum Co., Electro Metallurgical, Hooker Electrochemical, Lake Ontario Ordnance Works, Linde Air Products, Linde Ceramics Plant, Seaway Industrial Park, Simonds Saw & Steel Co., Titanium Alloys Manufacturing, University of Rochester Atomic Energy Project, Utica Street Warehouse, and West Valley Demonstration Project.
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This Press Release is from Rep. Louise M. Slaughter's Official Website, http://www.house.gov/slaughter