For the families of sick nuclear workers
The amendment introduced this week by Sen. Lamar Alexander and seven other senators to help families of sick nuclear workers collect money from the federal compensation fund is attracting quite a bit of interest, particularly it seems among former workers at the former Pinellas plant in Florida.
The reform to the program is included in an amendment to National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009. It bill specifically targets a long perceived weakness in the program. It would allow the family to collect from the compensation fund even if the worker and surviving spouse or other eligible family members die before the claims process is completed.
The change in rules would reportedly affect an estimated 1,200 current or future claims. That may not sound like a lot, considering the number of claims, but Alexander this morning said, "That is a large number of people. Each one of those claims represents a family."
He said the country owes a debt to those workers who helped win the Cold War.
Frank Munger will be covering the Dept. of Energy's Oak Ridge facilities and other things nuclear. The blog will include random thoughts and opinions, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and expanded coverage and analysis of Oak Ridge news. 