Bill would help soldiers exposed to toxins

[unhappycamper]

Bill would help soldiers exposed to toxins
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Dec 24, 2008 11:09:07 EST

INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh said Tuesday he would reintroduce legislation to create a medical registry for military personnel exposed to toxic chemicals following reports that Indiana National Guard troops were exposed to a toxin in Iraq.

The legislation would establish a registry to track military service members exposed to industrial toxins during wartime service, guaranteeing them access to priority care at Veterans Administration hospitals.

It would also authorize a scientific review of evidence linking exposure to adverse health effects.

Bayh, D-Ind., said in a prepared statement that he would reintroduce the legislation when Congress reconvenes in January.

“Our government has a responsibility to remove needless obstacles to care for soldiers exposed to potentially lethal quantities of toxic chemicals in service of their country,” Bayh said. “We should be guided by our government’s response to Agent Orange in Vietnam, when we changed our VA claims system so veterans placed at risk did not bear the burden of proof if health conditions developed later in life.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_indianaguardsmen_122408/%2e



uhc comment: News flash for Sen. Bayh: this is nothing new. The VA has ignored and denigrated Veterans after every war in US history.

[w8liftinglady]

1. Kicked and rec'd...this has been the subject of several of my lttes

I think I'll write one in the future showing these acts of neglect...and focus on the voting records of my cowardly congressmen...esp John Cornyn,who has voted against almost every piece of veteran's legislation since being elected.

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. A great idea - should've been done long ago.