[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 71 (Thursday, June 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          PROTECTING AND ASSISTING PEOPLE EXPOSED TO RADIATION

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 1994

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to have worked to 
reauthorize the Hanford Health Information Network. I express my 
appreciation to the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spratt] for 
including $2.5 million in his chairman's mark for operation of the 
network for another year. I am very hopeful that DOE will include the 
network in its request for next year.
  This network was established in the National Defense Authorization 
Act for fiscal year 1991 to develop programs for persons who may have 
been exposed to radiation released from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation 
between 1944 and 1972. It has been extremely important to the people of 
the Pacific Northwest, and has given them useful information when 
unfortunately, for so many years, they were unknowingly exposed to 
dangerous toxins.
  This is one of the things we can do to help restore trust in 
Government, and it is gratifying indeed to have had a role in enabling 
this vital program to continue.
  After 3 years of operation, managers of the network realized it is 
necessary to establish in Federal law a prohibition against client 
information disclosure. This information is not uniformly protected 
through the network due to the fact that the laws concerning 
confidentiality of client records are different in each of the 
participating States.
  Many persons seeking information from the network and/or providing 
information about their personal or family health histories are 
concerned about possible disclosure of this information.
  Downwinders must have their privacy protected, and they are concerned 
that disclosure could lead to the termination of health insurance 
coverage and other types of discrimination. These people and their 
families deserve to have the peace of mind to know that they're not 
going to be further victimized after they contact the network. This 
legislation protects them.
  I am very pleased that my colleagues have agreed to include this 
legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 
1995. It should provide necessary assurance to the people who are 
benefiting so greatly from the services of the Hanford Health 
Information Network.

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