Intermountain Health is hosting free public meetings across Utah to provide information on the recently reinstated and expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), helping residents determine if they or family members qualify for compensation due to exposure to radioactive fallout from Cold War-era nuclear testing.
Educational Meetings Scheduled
The educational initiative, led by Intermountain Health's Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP)—also known as the Downwinders Clinic—will cover changes to the federal program, including newly eligible geographic areas and expanded access for those affected by radioactive fallout and uranium industry activities. Attendees can learn about the online application portal, receive educational materials, and ask questions regarding the claims process.
Utah Meeting Schedule
The meetings are scheduled for several Utah locations: a session in St. George was held July 30, 2026, followed by a Provo/Orem meeting on August 4, 2026. A Salt Lake City meeting is set for August 4, 2026, with a Logan meeting scheduled for August 5, 2026, and an Ogden meeting on August 7, 2026. Additionally, the clinic is offering one-on-one application review appointments by appointment only in St. George on July 31, 2026, in Salt Lake City on August 6, 2026, and in Ogden on August 7, 2026.
Understanding Downwinder Exposure
The term "downwinder" refers to individuals exposed to radioactive fallout from atmospheric nuclear testing conducted at the Nevada Test Site. According to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, these open-air tests occurred at the Trinity Test Site in New Mexico in the 1940s and at the federal Nevada Test Site from the early 1950s to the early 1960s. Winds carried the radioactive fallout hundreds of miles away from the sites, exposing people in downwind areas to varying levels of radiation.
RECA Compensation and Eligibility
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was reauthorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted on July 4, 2025. Under the law, qualifying Downwinders may receive a one-time, lump sum payment of $100,000. If the individual has died, survivors may apply for equal shares of the payment. To qualify, individuals must demonstrate they were physically present in an affected area for specific durations, including one year in New Mexico between September 24, 1944, and November 6, 1962, or in an affected area for one year between January 21, 1951, and November 6, 1962.
Medical Eligibility and Deadlines
Eligibility for compensation is tied to a diagnosis of a specified compensable disease. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, these include various cancers such as brain, bladder, breast, colon, esophageal, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, thyroid, and stomach cancers, as well as leukemia and multiple myeloma. The Department of Justice noted that RECA is designed as a non-adversarial alternative to litigation, meaning claimants do not have to prove causation but must establish a diagnosis after residing or working in a designated location for the required period. Compensation claims must be filed by December 31, 2027.
Clinic Resources and Support
RESEP clinics provide free cancer and medical screenings to Downwinders and those exposed to radioactive materials used in nuclear weapons. These clinics, located in Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, may also offer assistance with filing compensation claims. For more information or to schedule an appointment, the clinic can be reached at 435-251-4760.
