Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act

Bill: 117-s-3541
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2022-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Africa
Air quality
Asia
Bahrain
Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Djibouti
Egypt
Fires
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Hospital care
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Nursing
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Solid waste and recycling
Somalia
Syria
United Arab Emirates
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-01
text: 

Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act

 
This bill updates policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances.
 
Specifically, the bill extends the eligibility period for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001, and were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, including those who did not enroll to receive VA care during the eligibility period.
 
The VA must incorporate into its existing health care screening a screening to help determine potential exposures to toxic substances during military service.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must also
 
 
provide annual training to health care and benefits personnel with respect to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances;
 
analyze total and respiratory disease mortality in veterans who served in specified locations on specified dates;
 
conduct an epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001;
 
conduct a study to determine trends in the rates of the incidence of cancer in veterans;
 
 publish a list of VA resources for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, families and caregivers of such veterans, and survivors of such veterans who are receiving death benefits; and
 
report on the data quality of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record and its usefulness in supporting veterans in receiving VA health care and benefits.
 

action_date: 2022-02-08
text: 

Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act

 
This bill updates policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances.
 
Specifically, the bill extends the eligibility period for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001, and were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, including those who did not enroll to receive VA care during the eligibility period.
 
The VA must incorporate into its existing health care screening a screening to help determine potential exposures to toxic substances during military service.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must also
 
 
provide annual training to health care and benefits personnel with respect to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances;
 
analyze total and respiratory disease mortality in veterans who served in specified locations on specified dates;
 
conduct an epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001;
 
conduct a study to determine trends in the rates of the incidence of cancer in veterans;
 
 publish a list of VA resources for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, families and caregivers of such veterans, and survivors of such veterans who are receiving death benefits; and
 
report on the data quality of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record and its usefulness in supporting veterans in receiving VA health care and benefits.
 

action_date: 2022-02-16
text: 

Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act

 
This bill updates policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances.
 
Specifically, the bill extends the eligibility period for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001, and were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, including those who did not enroll to receive VA care during the eligibility period.
 
The VA must incorporate into its existing health care screening a screening to help determine potential exposures to toxic substances during military service.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must also
 
 
provide annual training to health care and benefits personnel with respect to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances;
 
analyze total and respiratory disease mortality in veterans who served in specified locations on specified dates;
 
conduct an epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001;
 
conduct a study to determine trends in the rates of the incidence of cancer in veterans;
 
 publish a list of VA resources for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, families and caregivers of such veterans, and survivors of such veterans who are receiving death benefits; and
 
report on the data quality of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record and its usefulness in supporting veterans in receiving VA health care and benefits.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-18
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-02-18
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-02-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-02-16
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S733-735; text: CR S734-735)
action_date: 2022-02-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S733-735; text: CR S734-735)
action_date: 2022-02-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 263.
action_date: 2022-02-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-02-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate