Luján, N.M. Delegation Urge Record Holders to Assist Radiation Exposure Victims, Cooperate to Deliver RECA Compensation

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) sent an open letter to New Mexico's holders of health care records, birth and death records, tax records, school records and any other necessary records to request their full cooperation in delivering long overdue justice for New Mexicans exposed to radiation.

"Earlier this year, Congress passed a historic expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). For the first time, New Mexicans are eligible to apply for compensation under this program," the lawmakers wrote. "This represents long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices borne by our state. However, there is a limited window of just two years for New Mexicans to apply and receive the compensation they deserve."

"That is why we are reaching out to you. To qualify for the program, medical and other documentation, often decades old, is required to establish eligibility," the lawmakers continued. "For families who have already suffered, this process can be daunting and time-sensitive. Access to health and other records is not a bureaucratic formality; it is the key that will allow New Mexicans to prove their eligibility and secure long-awaited justice."

The lawmakers concluded the letter, "New Mexicans have waited 80 years for recognition. Now, together, we have an opportunity to ensure that every eligible individual can access the program in time. We thank you in advance for your compassion, urgency, and partnership in this effort."

Read the full letter here and below:

To our partners in hospitals, health systems, insurance providers, cancer registries, all organizations entrusted with safeguarding health records, State Offices and Registries, Secretary of State, County Clerks, State Health Offices, Libraries, Archives and any office or entity that is in possession of records of New Mexicans:

We write to you today with urgency and a request for your full cooperation in delivering long overdue justice for New Mexicans.

In 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated in New Mexico. The legacy of the Trinity bomb and the uranium mining and nuclear activities that followed, left generations of New Mexicans exposed to harmful radiation. For decades, these communities carried the burden of illness without recognition or recourse.

Earlier this year, Congress passed a historic expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). For the first time, New Mexicans are eligible to apply for compensation under this program. This represents long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices borne by our state. However, there is a limited window of just two years for New Mexicans to apply and receive the compensation they deserve.

That is why we are reaching out to you. To qualify for the program, medical and other documentation, often decades old, is required to establish eligibility. For families who have already suffered, this process can be daunting and time-sensitive. Access to health and other records is not a bureaucratic formality; it is the key that will allow New Mexicans to prove their eligibility and secure long-awaited justice.

We also want to stress that family members may be seeking records for loved ones who have since passed away. These families deserve the same support and urgency in locating records, so they can honor their relatives' struggles and finally obtain recognition on their behalf.

We urge every institution holding health and other records in New Mexico to do everything possible to support this effort, including;

• Streamlining and expediting record retrieval processes wherever possible,
• Working with patients and their families to locate older files, even if archived, and
• Providing clear guidance and assistance to those who may not know how to navigate medical and other record systems.

New Mexicans have waited 80 years for recognition. Now, together, we have an opportunity to ensure that every eligible individual can access the program in time. We thank you in advance for your compassion, urgency, and partnership in this effort.

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