Relief appears to be inching closer for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits as a result of their military service.
The Senate recently passed The Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act. The bipartisan legislation would expand Department of Veterans Affairs health care for post-9/11 combat veterans—including those suffering from conditions related to toxic exposure.
Approximately 3.5 million post-9/11 combat veterans may have experienced some level of exposure to burn pits during their service and nearly one-third of those veterans are currently unable to access VA care. The legislation was introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).
“Our bill is a necessary step in connecting an entire generation of veterans with the VA care they need and cannot wait for any longer,” said Tester.
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Among its provisions, the legislation would:
· Expand the period of health care eligibility for combat veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001 from five years following discharge to ten years;
· Provide a one-year open enrollment period for any Post-9/11 combat veterans who are outside their 10-year window;
· Establish an outreach plan to contact veterans who did not enroll during their initial period of enhanced eligibility;
· Direct VA to incorporate a clinical screening regarding a veteran’s potential exposures and symptoms commonly associated with toxic substances;
· Mandate toxic exposure-related education and training for healthcare and benefits personnel at VA; and
· Strengthen federal research on toxic exposures.
Burn pits have been used at U.S. military installations for years. The designated areas are dedicated to burning everything from human waste to excess equipment and other trash. According to a VA registry, more than 200,000 veterans have said exposure to the pits has made them ill with respiratory diseases and rare cancers. However, the VA has denied assistance to many of them.
“Addressing the needs of veterans exposed to burn pits cannot wait,” said Moran.
In a press conference earlier this month announcing the introduction of the legislation, Moran and Tester said their bill is the first of a three-step bipartisan approach the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will take to address the effect of toxic exposure on veterans.
California Democrat Mark Takano, who chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has introduced the bipartisan Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act, which also seeks to improve both health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins.
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The PACT Act calls for a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits and airborne hazards exposure.
The Senate and House bills are not similar and those differences will have to be ironed out before a measure makes its way to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.
The legislation passed by the Senate now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.