Downwinder compensation program law extended 2 years; info meetings to be held in Southern Utah

Operation Buster-Jangle - Dog test, Nevada, Nov. 1, 1951 | Public domain image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Earlier this month, President Joe Biden and Congress extended coverage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to help the more than 60,000 individuals and their families affected by atmospheric nuclear testing and uranium industry employment, according to a press release issued by the Intermountain Healthcare.

The Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program clinic at Intermountain Healthcare is holding public meetings next week June 28-30 to assist affected downwinders in the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act program, compensation process and requirements.

Experts will answer questions about the program and its requirements, including Radiation Exposure Compensation Act compensation ($50,000 for qualifying downwinders) and the recent deadline extension. Information will be available and assistance provided to start the compensation process for those who qualify.

Meeting schedule

  • 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 28, at the St. George Cancer Center Precision Genomics Auditorium 600 S. Medical Center Drive, Building 7
  • 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, at the Veyo Water Department Building 176 S Spanish Trail Drive
  • 2 p.m., Thursday, June 30, at the Kanab Public Library, 374 North Main Street
  • 6 p.m., Thursday, June 30, at the Hurricane Public Library, 36 South 300 West

Qualifying cancers include:

  • Leukemia
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Lymphomas, other than Hodgkin’s
  • Primary cancers of the pharynx, small intestine, salivary gland, brain, stomach, urinary bladder, colon, thyroid, pancreas, female or male breast, esophagus, bile ducts, liver, gall bladder, lung and ovary

The term “downwinder” is used to describe those people who were exposed to radioactive fallout in Arizona, Nevada and Utah during the nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site in the 1950s and 1962.

Becky Barlow, Intermountain Healthcare RECA Program director, said in the news release that they are pleased that the president and Congress continue to support downwinders and uranium workers that were unknowingly exposed because of nuclear testing or jobs in uranium mining and refinement.

“This two-year extension gives more opportunity for individuals who qualify and have been diagnosed with certain cancers to start the process of receiving compensation,” Barlow added. “We encourage individuals to reach out to the RECA program or attend one of our public meetings to learn more about their eligibility.”

For details and information, visit this link or call 435-251-4760.

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