The Traveling Resource Center will bring Departments of Labor and Energy officials to the area to answer questions and offer guidance to former workers, or their dependents, who file claims for compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. This program is intended to compensate those who were exposed to radioactive and other toxic materials who worked at the plant during the Cold War.
"I'm glad that these agencies are being responsive to my concerns and coming to Iowa," Grassley said. "Many former workers are ill and have financial challenges. I'm glad to see the government is taking this step to help these workers"
While a specific date and place have not been set, Senator Grassley is pleased that the agencies responsible for administering this program have committed to assisting former employees of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant during their visit in August. Currently, former workers in Iowa must file claims through the District Office in Seattle, Washington.
Grassley has been working to help plant workers and has written to the Health and Human Services Department to object to a regulation that would make it harder for former IAAP workers to receive compensation. Grassley also sent a letter to the Secretary of Energy that asked questions about the Department's handling of the compensation program for Iowans and others. At the same time, Grassley requested a formal review of the Energy Department's performance by the General Accounting Office. The GAO is the independent investigative arm of Congress.