Vieques Recovery Act Sets $1 Billion Cap to Fund New Trauma Center and Pay Residents for Military-Linked Illnesses

The “Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act” is designed to settle decades of health claims against the U.S. government stemming from military training on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. Essentially, this bill creates a formal compensation program for residents who developed serious illnesses—like cancer, hypertension, or diabetes—that they believe were caused by the heavy metal and ordnance contamination left behind by the military.

The Health Settlement: What’s the Payout?

If you lived on Vieques for at least five years and can provide written medical proof that you have a qualifying disease (like cancer, cirrhosis, or heavy metal poisoning) that is “more likely than not” linked to the military activity, you can file a claim. The payout is fixed: $50,000 for one disease, $80,000 for two, and $110,000 for three or more. If a resident passed away, their heirs can collect the payment, potentially up to $110,000 depending on the deceased person's age at death.

This isn't a traditional lawsuit; it’s a structured settlement process handled by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General. Crucially, any money received is treated as damages for human suffering, meaning it won't count against you when determining eligibility for federal benefits like social security or food assistance. That’s a massive win for low-income families who need both the settlement and ongoing support.

Building a Real Hospital, Not Just a Clinic

While the individual payouts are important, the most significant long-term change is the required infrastructure investment. The bill mandates that the Special Master provide the funding and resources necessary to build and operate a Level Three trauma center on the island. This isn't just an upgrade; it must include a cancer center and a renal dialysis unit—services that were either non-existent or inadequate before Hurricane Maria.

This provision directly addresses the findings that residents, especially cancer patients, faced out-of-pocket costs of $120 to $200 per trip just to take unreliable ferries to the main island for basic treatment. For a resident with chronic kidney disease, having a dialysis unit on-island means the difference between a life-saving treatment commute and a life-saving treatment down the street. The Special Master must also fund the center’s operations and cover off-island transport costs when specialized referrals are necessary, ensuring the facility is fully functional.

The Fine Print: What You Give Up

There are a few key elements that potential claimants need to understand before filing. First, you must have already sued the U.S. government or file a claim within 120 days of this law passing. Second, accepting a payment under this Act is final: it settles all past and future claims against the U.S. Government related to this issue. This means if you accept the $50,000 settlement, you waive your right to pursue any further legal action related to the military contamination.

Furthermore, the entire program—all compensation payments, the construction of the hospital, the environmental research, and the funding for a hurricane-resilient power source—is capped at $1 billion. While that sounds like a lot, the scope of the required infrastructure and compensation is vast, and the cap could become a limiting factor down the line if costs exceed estimates. The bill also requires an academic partner to research environmental toxins in the soil and sea to figure out how to clean things up so that health levels on Vieques match the U.S. average—a huge, necessary task that needs adequate funding to succeed.