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The Anthrax attacks have opened our eyes to our country’s vulnerability. This almost invisible enemy has taken lives, stymied business operations, and created paranoia, not to mention left a devastating financial toll in its wake.

The U.S. Government is assuming some of that financial responsibility. On Capitol Hill, politicians are fielding a House Democratic proposal that would include Anthrax victims and their families in the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund.

As the vehicle for the Anthrax attacks, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has taken the biggest financial hit. Employees of the USPS are generally covered by workers’ compensation for Anthrax testing and treatment. The postal service has been walking on a tightrope when deciding who should be tested and who should not, lest it open itself up to more liability.

USPS cannot hand out a blank check to each employee who feels sick and goes to the doctor. Because Anthrax symptoms resemble those associated with the flu an employee must have a doctor’s order to take an Anthrax test before the postal service will pay for the visit or the test. “This is the flu season,” David Mazer, Media Relations for the Southern California Postal Service, told adjustercom.com. “People are getting those symptoms all the time. If we paid for every doctor visit it could be disastrous.”

As of Oct. 29, the United States Postal Service reported that 8,800 employees had undergone Anthrax testing and 13,300 were on antibiotics. As if that wasn’t enough of a financial burden, the postal service is also paying thousands of dollars in lost work hours because so many post offices and plants have been closed due to Anthrax scares.

For example, a recent Anthrax hoax at a mail processing plant in the City of Industry cost a pretty penny. “Four-hundred employees were evacuated for four hours,” said Mazer. “That cost approximately $36,000 in lost work hours.”

No one knows how much it will cost, or who will pay the tab, if the House bill introduced by Rep. Michael Capuano [D-Mass.], is approved. The Anthrax victims fund would be established through the Justice Department and administered by a special master. Those participating in the fund are not limited in their awards but cannot sue American or United airlines—the companies whose planes were used in the World Trade Center massacres.

House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt said he doesn’t know who would be responsible for contributing to the fund but mentioned the postal service and the U.S. Government as possible candidates, “All we’re saying is that whoever has liability and exposure and where there’s insurance, the master has the ability to go get that insurance money and put it into the fund to help take care of these families.”

Gephardt hopes the bill will pass by the end of the legislative session.