Arizonans Urge Congress to Renew Radiation Compensation Act

YAVAPAI COUNTY, AZ (AZFamily) — Individuals in Arizona and other states affected by Cold War nuclear testing in Nevada are pressing Congress to re-authorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) before it expires. These individuals, known as «downwinders,» were exposed to radiation that traveled into neighboring communities, resulting in significant health issues.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act provides a one-time payment of $50,000 to victims or their families diagnosed with specific types of cancers in select counties where the radiation impact was most severe. The program, however, was not renewed by Congress in its past session. The Senate has passed a bill to extend and expand this program’s coverage to include more counties.

The House of Representatives now has only a short timeframe to pass this bill. Downwinders, such as Yavapai County resident Becky Ruffner, are hopeful for its passage. «I was 11 years old, 12, 13, 14 years old when that nuclear testing was occurring, and I know I’ve been exposed to that very radiation, and should I die from one of those cancers, I would want my kids to receive the benefits,» Ruffner stated. Ruffner, who received RECA payments after the deaths of her mother and grandfather, fears her family will not receive benefits if she is similarly affected.