Reid, Bryan back nuke compensation bill

Wednesday, May 10, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan, both D-Nev., are co-sponsors of a bill introduced Tuesday that would compensate Department of Energy workers for illnesses they received building and testing the nation's nuclear weapons.

Nevada Test Site workers are included in the legislation.

The DOE on April 12 announced that it would pay for treatments after decades of denying medical coverage to nuclear weapons workers.

"The government is, for a change, on their side, not against them," Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said.

An estimated 3,000 workers or their families in 10 states are eligible for the money. Beginning in the early 1950s, workers labored under an oath of secrecy at the Test Site, about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The cost would be an estimated $120 million a year for the first three years, decreasing to $80 million a year after that as claims are settled.

The bill was introduced by Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and has not been assigned a committee or initial hearing.