The Nation : Benefits for ‘Atomic Veterans’ Approved

Ignoring a veto threat, the House overwhelmingly voted final congressional approval for health benefits for American “atomic veterans,” who were exposed to radiation in the 1945 occupation of Japan or during post-World War II tests of nuclear weapons. The 326-2 House vote followed last week’s 48-30 approval by the Senate, but President Reagan has been advised by top Administration officials to veto the bill. The negative House votes were cast by Reps. Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.) and Norman D. Shumway (R-Stockton). The bill would affect an estimated 250,000 U.S. military personnel. The bill establishes a presumptive link between certain health problems and service duty and delineates 13 types of cancers for which the veterans may receive benefits.