National Jewish Health Launches Free Clinic for Former Uranium Workers
Years ago, the U.S. Congress first offered an apology and compensation to uranium miners, atomic-test-site workers and others who became ill as a result of the country's efforts to produce and test atomic weapons.
On October 23, 2009, National Jewish Health conducted the first medical screenings on the Front Range for those people. Physicians evaluated two former uranium miners to learn if they qualify for benefits that can include free medical care and $100,000 or more in "compensation benefits."
These miners were the first participants in the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) Clinic at National Jewish Health.
"We believe there may be many people throughout Colorado and Wyoming who qualify for benefits," said Cecile Rose, MD, Medical Director of the RESEP Clinic. "We hope we can get the word out so that they will contact us and get screened."
Uranium miners, uranium mill workers, uranium ore transporters, people who worked onsite during testing of a nuclear weapon or lived in an area downwind of the Nevada Test site before 1972, and now live in Colorado, Wyoming, or southeast Utah, qualify for free screening. The screening includes a health questionnaire, physical exam, hearing test, breathing test, and chest X-ray. Clinic staff also provide benefits counseling.
National Jewish Health will be conducting clinics across the state in coming months, starting with Pueblo in December.
For more information about the clinic and who might qualify for benefits, visit the RESEP Clinic page, or call 1.877.255.LUNG.
National Jewish Health also provides free health screening to anyone in Colorado who has worked in the mining industry for six months or more.