The House of Representatives on July 13 passed the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, that will cut through red tape at the VA and make it easier for veterans affected by burn pit exposure access to specialized care.
The bill, which Slotkin led with fellow Michigan Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, was included in the Honoring our PACT Act, a comprehensive package of legislation that will address veteran toxic exposure and is expected to be signed into law by President Biden.
“This is one of the most important pieces of legislation I’ve worked on in three and a half years in congress,” Slotkin said. “Burn pits are the Agent Orange of the 9/11 generation of veterans, and this landmark bill on toxic exposure will help more than 3.5 million more American veterans access the treatment and benefits they earned during their service. I’m thrilled that the bill I worked so hard on to specifically address burn pit exposure will be signed into law in the coming weeks. As a CIA officer who lived near burn pits on three tours in Iraq, and as an Army wife, this issue has always been deeply personal for me. I believe that when we send our men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we make a solemn commitment to provide them with the care and support they need when they come home.
“I also think it’s important to realize that this bill finally passed because of long fights that previous generations waged for access to medical care,” she continued. “The Vietnam vets waged a 30-year fight to get healthcare for Agent Orange exposure, and wanted better for the next generation. And more recently. This bill took lessons from the fight for the firefighters who served at ground zero, who were exposed to toxic chemicals. These groups helped make today’s vote possible, and will help ensure the 9/11 generation doesn’t have to fight the VA for recognition and healthcare at the same time they are fighting for their lives. Our vote on this bill shows that Republicans and Democrats can still come together to address our veterans’ most pressing needs. I introduced this bill on burn pits more than a year ago, so seeing this effort come to fruition, knowing that it will soon be law, is a moving thing for me to be a part of.”
Slotkin’s bill was endorsed by several veteran advocacy groups including Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, The Retired Enlisted Association, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Slotkin, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, lived near burn pits on her three tours of Iraq as a CIA officer. She has made addressing veteran toxic exposure a top priority in Congress. Right now, veterans are required by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prove that ailments were caused by burn-pit exposure, denying many critical health care and benefits.
By formally recognizing the health impacts of burn-pits, Slotkin’s bill is set to remove the burden of proof from our men and women in uniform and require the VA to perform a medical examination to determine if exposure is linked to a veteran’s particular ailment. The Honoring Our PACT Act provides new or increased disability benefits to thousands of veterans by designating 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers as likely linked to toxic exposures related to military burn pits. The Honoring our PACT Act will:
• Provide Priority Group 6 health care for over 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans;
• Provide extension of combat eligibility for health care from 5 to 10 years with a one-year open enrollment period for those veterans who missed their window;
• Streamline VA’s review process for establishing toxic exposure presumptions;
• Concede exposure to airborne hazards/burn pits based on locations & dates of service
• Require medical exams/opinions for certain veterans with toxic exposure disability claims;
• Establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits/airborne hazards exposure;
• Expand agent orange exposure to veterans who served in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia;
• Improve data collection between the VA and the Department of Defense; Commission studies related to incidents of cancer among veterans, health trends of Post 9/11 veterans and feasibility of providing healthcare to dependents of veterans;
• Require VA to provide standardized training to improve toxic exposure disability claims adjudications; and Require VA to conduct outreach and provide resources to toxic exposed veterans.
