Toxins bill to expand care for veterans exposed to Agent Orange
Thousands of Vietnam-era veterans stand to benefit as Congress nears the finish line on significant legislation to expand health coverage for those exposed to toxins during their military service. The Honoring Our PACT Act, which aims to expand care to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, also expands care to veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange outside of Vietnam.
VA overhauls patient wait time website, but not policies on other medical options
Veterans Affairs officials are overhauling their website detailing medical wait times at facilities across the nation, but that does not mean significant changes to private-sector care eligibility for patients worried about access issues. The new website is the culmination of months of behind-the-scenes work in response to veterans' complaints about deficiencies in the old website.
The VA has a Senate-confirmed official leading its health care operations again after a five-year wait. Lawmakers voted 66-23 to confirm Dr. Shereef Elnahal as the next VA undersecretary for health. VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Elnahal will provide valuable help with the department's electronic health records overhaul and ongoing review of medical facility infrastructure.
The widespread use of Agent Orange in the 1960s and '70s resulted in various severe health conditions in veterans. The U.S. military used Agent Orange to clear foliage that might have given the enemy cover, making them harder to see and, therefore, more dangerous. And while that danger was real, the peril to service members also was great.
Did you live or work at Camp Lejeune before 1987 and now have a health condition? You may soon be allowed to take legal action and seek a financial settlement from the U.S. government. The bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is expected to pass the Senate this week, then be signed into law by President Biden.
