Sick Hanford workers see quicker results

RICHLAND, Wash. — The federal Department of Labor has improved its processing of claims by ill workers at the Hanford nuclear site, according to a study by the federal Government Accountability Office.

The program was one of two established for tens of thousands of weapons plant workers who got sick building nuclear bombs.

The federal government spent two years determining the radiation exposure for workers who filed the first 1,000 claims. However, the department recently determined the radiation exposure for 1,000 claims in just 11 weeks, the GAO said.

Under the program, workers at Hanford and other nuclear sites may receive a $150,000 payment and medical coverage if the government determines their cancer likely was caused by radiation exposure on the job. If the worker has died, survivors may receive the payment. Some rare lung diseases caused by toxic exposures also are covered.

At Hanford, 80 claims have been paid out of 3,919 filed.

Meanwhile, a group of U.S. senators continues to criticize and seek changes in a similar program managed by the Department of Energy. That program, which covers diseases caused by heavy metals, acids and other toxic substances, has resulted in just 31 claims paid out of 25,000 filed.

The group urged leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee by letter Tuesday to support changes to the program to speed claims processing.

Specifically, the group wants responsibility for the program to be transferred to the Department of Labor. The senators also want to create an ombudsman program to help injured contract workers find compensation if their previous employers have gone out of business.

“The workers who are seriously ill from their service to our country during the Cold War need help now, but all they’ve gotten in return for their service is bureaucratic runaround,” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said in a news release. “I want the system fixed so sick workers get the health care they need.”