Fort McClellan Health Registry Act

Bill: 117-hr-2825
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2021-04-22
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alabama

Disability assistance

Government information and archives

Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Health care coverage and access

Health information and medical records

Medical research

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Military facilities and property

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2021-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-04-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Fort McClellan Health Registry Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain the Fort McClellan Health Registry, which must include a list of names of those who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, between January 1, 1935, and May 20, 1999, and are seeking specified health care or benefits from the VA.</p> <p>Specifically, the registry must include those who</p> <ul> <li>apply for hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, or medical care from the VA;</li> <li>file a claim for compensation for service-connected disability;</li> <li>die and are survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation;</li> <li>request a VA health examination; or</li> <li>receive a VA health examination and request to be included in the registry.</li> </ul> <p>The registry must also include relevant medical data of the listed individuals if they grant permission or are deceased at the time they are listed.</p> <p>Individuals who have submitted applications, requests, or claims prior to the enactment of this bill must be included in the registry to the extent feasible.</p> <p>The VA must periodically notify individuals listed in the registry of significant research developments on the health consequences of potential exposure to toxic substances or environmental hazards related to service at Fort McClellan. Additionally, the VA must reach out to individuals regarding the provision of health examinations and consultation and counseling services.</p> <p>In establishing and maintaining the registry, the VA must consult with the Department of Defense to acquire necessary information.<br> </p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2825 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 22, 2021 Mr. Tonko introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fort McClellan Health Registry Act . 2. Fort McClellan Health Registry (a) Establishment The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Fort McClellan Health Registry (in this section referred to as the Registry ). (b) Contents Except as provided in subsection (c), the Registry shall include the following information: (1) A list containing the name of each individual who, while serving as a member of the Armed Forces, was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, at any time during the period beginning January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, and who— (A) applies for care or services from the Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code; (B) files a claim for compensation under chapter 11 of such title on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (C) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of such title on the basis of such service; (D) requests from the Secretary a health examination under subsection (d); or (E) receives from the Secretary a health examination similar to the health examination referred to in subparagraph (D) and requests inclusion in the Registry. (2) Relevant medical data relating to the health status of, and other information that the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate with respect to, each individual described in paragraph (1) who— (A) grants to the Secretary permission to include such information in the Registry; or (B) at the time the individual is listed in the Registry, is deceased. (c) Individuals Submitting Claims or Making Requests Before Date of Enactment If in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1) the application, claim, or request referred to in such subsection was submitted, filed, or made before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, include in the Registry such individual's name and the data and information, if any, described in subsection (b)(2) relating to the individual. (d) Examinations Upon the request of a veteran who was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, at any time during the period beginning January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, the Secretary shall provide the veteran with a health examination (including any appropriate diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling with respect to the results of the examination and the tests. (e) Outreach (1) Ongoing outreach to individuals listed in Registry The Secretary shall, from time to time, notify individuals listed in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Fort McClellan. (2) Examination outreach The Secretary shall carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to the provision of any health examinations (including any diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling services under subsection (d). (f) Consultation The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with the Secretary of Defense to acquire information maintained by the Secretary of Defense that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers necessary to establish and maintain the Registry.