Uranium Miners and Workers Act of 2023
3/14/2024, 3:45 AMSummary of Bill S 1681
Bill 118 s 1681, also known as the Uranium Miners and Workers Act of 2023, aims to provide compensation and healthcare benefits to individuals who have been affected by exposure to uranium while working in the mining and processing industries. The bill specifically targets those who have developed illnesses such as lung cancer, kidney disease, and other health issues as a result of their work in these industries.The bill establishes a fund to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals, including miners, mill workers, and transporters who were exposed to uranium and its byproducts. This fund will cover medical expenses, disability benefits, and other forms of support for those who have suffered from the harmful effects of uranium exposure.
Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to conduct outreach and education programs to inform eligible individuals about the benefits available to them under this legislation. It also mandates the creation of a registry to track and monitor the health outcomes of those who have been affected by uranium exposure. Overall, the Uranium Miners and Workers Act of 2023 seeks to address the long-standing health concerns of individuals who have been exposed to uranium while working in the mining and processing industries. By providing compensation and healthcare benefits, the bill aims to support these individuals and help them access the care and assistance they need to address their health issues.
Congressional Summary of S 1681
Uranium Miners and Workers Act of 2023
This bill extends and expands eligibility for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program. This program compensates individuals who were exposed to radiation while employed in uranium mining operations and subsequently developed qualifying medical conditions.
Specifically, the bill extends the fund that supports the program for the four years following the enactment of the bill. (The fund currently terminates on June 7, 2024.) It also transfers to the fund a specified amount of unobligated funding appropriated for the COVID-19 response.
In addition, the bill expands eligibility for the program in multiple ways. Current law limits eligibility to individuals who were employed between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1971, as uranium miners, millers, or ore transporters. The bill expands the program by (1) making those employed through December 31, 1978, and those employed as core drillers eligible; and (2) providing compensation for kidney cancers and other chronic kidney diseases to all individuals eligible for the program.
