NC wrongfully sterilized victims may get $50,000 each in compensation

I am glad that something is finally being done for these people. This story first received national attention during this past summer. Their story is so sad and so unnecessary. I wonder where are all the 'right wing pro life' people on this issue. These people were violated in the most egregious way possible in my opinion. Although there is no amount of money that can be given to compensate for their lost, this is at least a start.

People sterilized against their will under a discredited U.S. state program should each be paid $50,000, a task force voted Tuesday, marking the first time a state has moved to compensate victims of a once-common public health practice called eugenics.

The panel recommended that the money go to verified, living victims, including those who are alive now but may die before the lawmakers approve any compensation. North Carolina's Legislature must still approve any payments.

A task force report last year said 1,500 to 2,000 of those victims were still alive, and the state has verified 72 victims. If the estimate is correct, the payments could total around $100 million. Survivors will have three years to apply for payments from the time a measure approving them goes into effect.

North Carolina is one of about a half-dozen U.S. states to apologize for past eugenics programs, but it is alone in trying to put together a plan to compensate victims. The task force recommendations also include that the state continue to support the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation; that the compensation be awarded so that it doesn't affect victims' taxes or government services; and that mental health counseling be offered.

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