Editorial: Aid for sick workers may yet finally arrive
Friday, Aug. 9, 2002 | 9:13 a.m.
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has done the right thing in removing a regulatory roadblock that could have held up compensation for nuclear weapons plant workers who had gotten sick on the job. Nearly two years ago Congress passed legislation to provide a lump sum payment of $150,000 to each of the estimated 4,000 workers nationwide who had been exposed to radiation, silica, which causes lung damage that is similar to asbestosis, and beryllium, which also can cause lung diseases, during their employment at these plants during the Cold War years. In addition, the bill would cover the medical benefits of the workers, some who worked at the Nevada Test Site, for the rest of their lives.
The first draft of the Energy Department's rule to implement the program, revealed in May of this year, was terrible. It would have made it harder for nuclear weapons workers, many of whom are seriously ill or near death, to get compensation. That draft rule would have allowed government contractors to contest compensation claims, a situation that directly ran counter to the intent of the legislation to get the workers immediate compensation.
Most of the contractors are self-insured, so the Energy Department will reimburse them for their costs. But in those cases where contractors carried a private insurance policy or were covered by a state insurance fund, the Energy Department can't compel them to pay the claims, a loophole that doesn't allow the Energy Department to order these employers to pay the claims. But in the interest of decency, the contractors should honor the claims and pay these men and women for all the suffering they've gone through. Nothing less will do.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Live Blog: Pacquiao wins by TKO in round twelve
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao: The only fight fans want to see
- Police seek man who stole $2,000 worth of clothing
- Bruised and battered, Cotto says he will fight again
- Boulder City struggles with shocking allegations
- Ensign Federal Credit Union fails
- Construction goes bust, equipment goes on auction block
- Live game blog: Rebels open season with 91-52 victory against Pittsburg State
- Temperatures plunge in Las Vegas
- At halfway point, NFL is all about the quick change
Blogs
The Greene Room
MWC Winners and Losers: Week 11 (1 Comment)
Elsewhere
Dana White continues to push for event in Abu Dhabi
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Harry Reid is powerful for Northern Nevada, too! (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
New face of Monte Carlo includes all the faces of Caliendo
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate (2 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (14 Comments)
Calendar »
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
- 19 Thu
- 20 Fri
-
Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre
Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand
-
The Automatic Tour at The Square Apple
The Square Apple
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
-
Rhumbar presents Pink Sugar Mondays
The Mirage Hotel and Casino
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati






