HHS' (Department of Health and Human Services) Implementation of Superfund Health-Related Responsibilities

摘要

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980--referred to as Superfund--requires by Presidential delegation the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up toxic waste sites and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out various health-related activities. In August 1981, the President designated EPA as the lead agency for implementing the law and as trustee of the Superfund appropriations. The Superfund legislation gave HHS considerable latitude concerning how it could implement its health-related responsibilities. HHS' progress in implementing its planned Superfund activities has been adversely affected by funding delays and staffing limitations. Furthermore, the legislation and its history do not clearly define congressional expectations in two key areas--the development and maintenance of registries and the provision of medical care for persons exposed to toxic substances. The Congress may wish to consider HHS' progress concerning Superfund health-related activities and determine whether changes are needed in how these activities are funded and staffed and whether legislative expectations regarding registries and health care should be clarified.