Findings; purpose

(a) Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) Thalidomide caused an estimated more than 10,000 birth defects and deaths worldwide during the 1950s and 1960s. (2) Thalidomide exposure in utero is known to cause limb deformities and internal organ malformations. (3) Although not formally approved in the United States, approximately 5 million thalidomide samples were distributed by over 1,200 physicians through informal clinical trials. (4) The number of U.S. individuals affected remains undocumented, but research estimates approximately 100 thalidomide survivors are still living in the United States. (5) U.S. thalidomide survivors have faced decades of unreimbursed medical costs, limited accessibility accommodations, and lack of formal diagnosis recognition. (6) 46 countries currently provide compensation or medical assistance to thalidomide survivors, including direct payments, pensions, and adaptive living support. (b) Purpose The purpose of this Act is to allow our thalidomide survivors the ability to live the remainder of their lives with independence and dignity.