When Does Going to the Doctor Serve the Public Health? Medical Monitoring Response Costs under CERCLA

Senator Mitchell made his comment in the wake of a broad compromise that allowed CERCLA to pass both houses of Congress. The final bill deleted much of what was to make the Act "comprehensive," including private actions for damages and medical expenses.3 The Act that finally was signed into law by President Carter authorizes government cleanup of hazardous waste sites, but does not provide for compensation to those who are physically harmed by hazardous waste.4 On its own terms, CERCLA redresses public, not private wrongs. Congress created CERCLA because other federal laws, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976