Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has successfully secured significant expansions to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and new Medicaid funding as part of a reconciliation bill passed by the Senate. The legislation, referred to as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” includes provisions that were negotiated by Senator Hawley to address key priorities for Missouri.

The RECA expansion aims to provide compensation and healthcare for individuals in St. Louis and St. Charles affected by radiation-linked cancers. The reconciliation bill also introduces relief measures such as no taxes on overtime and tips, alongside an increased child tax credit for families. Following discussions with Senate GOP Leadership, the bill establishes a $50 billion fund dedicated to rural hospitals, which will allocate approximately $1 billion in new funding to Missouri over five years for Medicaid support.

Senator Hawley emphasized the importance of this legislation: “RECA is generational legislation for Missouri and will finally deliver justice for survivors in the St. Louis region. And when this reconciliation bill is signed into law, Missouri will also see new health care funding and big tax cuts for working families. I call on the House to quickly pass this legislation and send it to President Trump’s desk.”

Additionally, Senator Hawley pledged ongoing efforts against future Medicaid cuts: “But let me be clear, I will continue to do everything in my power to reverse future cuts to Medicaid. If Republicans want to be the party of the working class, we cannot cut health insurance for working people.”

For two years, Senator Hawley has been advocating for nuclear contamination survivors' funding in Missouri and nationwide, having previously succeeded in passing RECA reauthorization bills through the Senate twice.