Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Advances Blumenthal-Championed Legislation to Help Veterans Affected by Agent Orange & K2 Toxic Exposure

[WASHINGTON, DC] – The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee today advanced a number of critical legislative priorities championed by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to support veterans suffering from toxic exposure and to strengthen their access to care and benefits. The Committee unanimously advanced an amended version of Blumenthal’s Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act, which would study the effects of removing the one-year manifestation period for three diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure. The K2 Toxic Exposure Study, which requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the toxic exposure of veterans who served at the Karshi-Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan, was also advanced by the Committee. The bills will now move to the full Senate for consideration.

“I think this challenge is one of the major health issues to face our military in coming years. Not only in this country, where there’s been exposure to all kinds of contaminants, but abroad. The modern battlefield is fraught with toxins and poisons from all kinds of sources,” said Blumenthal emphasizing his commitment to continue working on this issue.

Blumenthal expressed gratitude to veterans’ service organizations and veterans who inspired the legislation advanced by the Committee, saying: “I want to thank the veterans’ service organizations, because they’ve contributed mightily to all of this legislation, and to the veterans themselves. One in particular, Gerry Wright of Connecticut, who has been dogged in his support for the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act. But really, to all of the veterans and all of the VSOs who have really been with us all of the way - I think they’re behind all of these bills.”

The following Blumenthal-championed bills were advanced by the Committee today:

Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act: Led by Blumenthal, this legislation authorizes a GAO study into repealing the manifestation period for three illnesses on the Agent Orange presumptive conditions list – chloracne, certain forms of porphyria, and neuropathy. Currently, veterans diagnosed with any of these three illnesses must show they developed symptoms within one year of Agent Orange exposure to qualify for benefits. Other Agent Orange-linked diseases do not have this requirement. The report will include number of claims expected, and how these claims will be adjudicated by VA.

K2 Toxic Exposure Study: Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) led this bipartisan legislation to authorize a VA study on the toxic exposure of K2 veterans, who have been reported to have high levels of cancers and other chronic illnesses. The bill also amends current law to make K2 veterans eligible for the burn pit registry, allowing them to officially document their symptoms in a government database.

Veterans Debt Fairness Act: Aimed at addressing the problem of incorrect VA payments, this bill requires the VA to update its computer systems allowing veterans to update their own information regarding beneficiaries. It prohibits debt arising from overpayment due to delays in processing, ensures that the VA provides notice and an explanation of the right to dispute debt to veterans, prohibits the VA from sending debt to collections while it is in dispute, prohibits the VA from charging interest and administrative costs for debts, and requires the VA to develop and improve processes for veterans to view medical statements and debts electronically. Blumenthal is an original co-sponsor of this bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Boozman (R-AR), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

The Deborah Sampson Act: To improve access to care for the rapidly-increasing percentage of women veterans at the VA, this legislation establishes a dedicated Office of Women’s Health, improves infrastructure, bolsters staffing and provider training, increases access to legal and supportive services, and improves data collection. It expands access to military sexual trauma care at the VA for former Guard and Reserve members. It also requires the VA to institute an anti-sexual harassment and anti-sexual assault policy, and to improve services for survivors of intimate partner violence. Blumenthal is an original co-sponsor of this bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AR).

Accountability in Department of Veterans Affairs Scheduling and Consult Management Act: This bill requires the VA to review the processes and requirements for scheduling health care appointments, to ensure that veterans do not endure long wait times to get appointments at the VA. It also requires a facility-level audit of scheduling and management of appointments and reviews of community care appointment scheduling and staffing. Blumenthal is an original co-sponsor of this bill with U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

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