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Downwinders Parity Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:06 PM
Summary of Bill S 463
Bill 118 s 463, also known as the Downwinders Parity Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to provide compensation and healthcare benefits to individuals who were exposed to radiation as a result of nuclear testing conducted by the United States government during the Cold War.
The bill specifically focuses on individuals who lived downwind of the Nevada Test Site, where numerous nuclear tests were conducted between 1951 and 1962. These individuals, known as "downwinders," were unknowingly exposed to harmful levels of radiation, which has had long-lasting health effects on them and their descendants.
If passed, the Downwinders Parity Act of 2023 would extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include downwinders from the Nevada Test Site. This would allow them to receive compensation for their medical expenses and suffering caused by their exposure to radiation. In addition to compensation, the bill also seeks to provide healthcare benefits to downwinders, including coverage for cancer treatment and other related illnesses. This would help alleviate the financial burden that many downwinders face as a result of their exposure to radiation. Overall, the Downwinders Parity Act of 2023 aims to address the injustices faced by individuals who were unknowingly exposed to radiation during the Cold War. By providing compensation and healthcare benefits to downwinders, this bill seeks to acknowledge their suffering and provide them with the support they need to cope with the long-term effects of their exposure to radiation.
The bill specifically focuses on individuals who lived downwind of the Nevada Test Site, where numerous nuclear tests were conducted between 1951 and 1962. These individuals, known as "downwinders," were unknowingly exposed to harmful levels of radiation, which has had long-lasting health effects on them and their descendants.
If passed, the Downwinders Parity Act of 2023 would extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include downwinders from the Nevada Test Site. This would allow them to receive compensation for their medical expenses and suffering caused by their exposure to radiation. In addition to compensation, the bill also seeks to provide healthcare benefits to downwinders, including coverage for cancer treatment and other related illnesses. This would help alleviate the financial burden that many downwinders face as a result of their exposure to radiation. Overall, the Downwinders Parity Act of 2023 aims to address the injustices faced by individuals who were unknowingly exposed to radiation during the Cold War. By providing compensation and healthcare benefits to downwinders, this bill seeks to acknowledge their suffering and provide them with the support they need to cope with the long-term effects of their exposure to radiation.
Congressional Summary of S 463
Downwinders Parity Act of 2023
This bill expands a program that compensates individuals who were exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear testing and subsequently developed specified cancers.
Under current law, the program compensates, among others, individuals who were present in a designated geographic area during a period of nuclear testing. The bill expands that area to include all parts of Clark County, Nevada, and Mohave County, Arizona. Current law restricts eligibility to certain parts of those counties.
The Department of Justice must report on efforts to inform individuals newly eligible for compensation about the program.
Current Status of Bill S 463
Bill S 463 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 16, 2023. Bill S 463 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 16, 2023. Bill S 463's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. as of February 16, 2023
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 463
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
0Unaffiliated Sponsors
1Total Number of Cosponsors
0Democrat Cosponsors
0Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 463
Primary Policy Focus
LawComments
Sponsors and Cosponsors of S 463
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