Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP)

1. RESEP Grantee Meeting Vanessa Hooker, B.A. September 1, 2009 U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Rural Health Policy Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP)

2. AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION 1990 the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was established to provide compensation to individuals diagnosed with radiogenic cancer and disease. 2000 the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) amended Subpart I of Part C, Title IV of the Public Health Service Act to add section 417C.

3. AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION (cont’d.) Section 417C established grants for Education, Prevention, and Early Detection of Radiogenic Cancers and Diseases. In 2002 HRSA developed and implemented the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP).

4. PURPOSE • To assist individuals exposed to radiation through employment in the uranium mining industry or the testing of nuclear weapons. • Identify, prevent, and receive compensation for illnesses that have resulted from these activities.

6. Program Objectives • Outreach (Dissemination of Public Information) • Cancer Screening • Education • Referrals for Medical Treatment • RECA Eligibility Counseling

7. High Impact States • The program awards grants to health care providers in the 12 states most affected by employment in the uranium mining industry or the testing of nuclear weapons. • The grantees serve individuals exposed to radiation and help them establish eligibility for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program.

8. Target Population • Uranium industry workers • miners, millworkers and ore transporters) • Downwinders” Lived or worked near the Nevada Test Site during the atmospheric detonation of nuclear weapons • On-site participants • Participated onsite during atmospheric detonation of a nuclear test device

9. Underground Uranium Mining • Uranium Mine workers

10. Program Information There are 7 RESEP Clinics in 5 states. (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah) North Country HealthCare University of Nevada School of Medicine Flagstaff, AZ Las Vegas, NV National Jewish Health Utah Navajo Health System Denver, CO Montezuma Creek, UT University of New Mexico Dixie Regional Medical Center Albuquerque, NM St. George, UT Northern Navajo Medical Center Shiprock, NM

11. Utah Navajo Health Systems Montezuma Creek, UT National Jewish Health, Denver, CO Dixie Regional Medical Center St. George, UT University of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM North Country Health System Flagstaff, AZ RESEP Centers Northern Navajo Medical Center Shiprock, NM

12. Program Activities • Performance Improvement Management System (PIMS) Data Reporting • Temporary transfer of CO grantee to National Jewish Health. • Strengthening Collaborations with the Department of Labor

13. Program Partners • U.S. Department of Justice Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Program http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/torts/const/reca/index.htm • U.S. Department of Labor RECA/EEOICPA for Uranium Workers http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/energy/index.htm

14. RESEP Program Contact Vanessa Hooker RESEP Program Coordinator 301-594-5105 vhooker@hrsa.gov Website: http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/radiationexposure/