I write in hope that you can please assist in restarting the work of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health. The Advisory Board is an integral working of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act of 2000 (EEOICPA), Part B.
My mother Dorothy O'Donnell was an employee at the GTE Fl plant from 1981 to 1991 and worked with radioactive Plutonium and Beryllium. She was never told of the dangers associated with her employment and consequently died from multiple cancers due to her job. She died tragically because she was an employee in the weapons production lab. I realize it is necessary to delete unnecessary government waste that has been present for so long but I truly feel this is a necessary program. I have seen firsthand, the devastating effects of radioactive Plutonium in the many employees in the GTE plant alone. I truly feel all of these employees need to be compensated for their employment efforts with respect to the Defense of the United States. I realize you have so many programs presently being reviewed but will you please help with restarting this program
The Advisory is crucial in that it audits radiation dose reconstructions of former and current Energy Employees for accuracy and completeness; and adjudicates Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) petitions. Evaluated SEC petitions cannot move forward without Advisory Board review and action. One proposed SEC class for Savannah River Site construction workers has been awaiting a vote by Advisory Board the entire year but the Advisory Board has been idled under the administration's necessary reviews .
Energy Employees truly need to know if they will be compensated or not for cancers potentially caused by work to keep our nation safe. We know you seek a healthy nation; part of that is providing medical benefits to injured Energy Employees. Please restart the legislated work of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health forthwith.
