Ed Whitfield: “I support efforts to streamline the claims process for DOE workers seeking compensation for illnesses resulting from…”

“I support efforts to streamline the claims process for DOE workers seeking compensation for illnesses resulting from exposure to toxic substances and other hazardous materials, and I will vote in favor of the amendment. The changes in this amendment will not insure payments to claimants in states like Kentucky where there is no willing payor to cover compensation costs. DOE lacks the authority to direct the DOE contractors or their insurors who employed these workers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant to pay compensation claims even if the claims are approved by DOE physicians panels. More important, the Paducah uranium enrichment plant is no longer a DOE-run facility. Plant operations were privatized in 1998 and DOE cannot direct that private operator, USEC, to pay claims approved by DOE physician panels. Only the current DOE contractor employees at Paducah will have a willing payor. So, depending on what state you live in, even if you prove that your illness is work-related, you may never receive a dime in compensation. Of the 23,000 claims filed with DOE, 2,874 were filed by my constituents because of illnesses they contracted while working at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Those workers and thousands like them across the country deserve more. I do support the amendment because if Congress takes no other action this session repairing this program, this will at least help expedite the DOE claims process.”