Lawmakers Rush to Introduce Relief Bills as Military Toxic Exposures Come to Light
18 Apr 2021
Military.com | By Steve Beynon
Lawmakers have responded to issues surrounding toxic exposures in the military and the decades-long health crisis plaguing the veteran community with a mix of incremental efforts and sweeping health care bills. The looming question is what can make it into law this year while momentum lasts.
Some efforts, including those to provide presumptive care to those sickened by burn pits in the post-9/11 wars, could add enormous costs to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which already has a ballooning budget far outpacing inflation.
Advocates and some lawmakers stress that the stars are aligned to pass significant legislation: Toxic exposure is getting more media attention; Democrats are in control of Congress; and the president has been personally touched by the issue, believing his son Beau died after burn pit exposure in Iraq.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/04/18/lawmakers-rush-introduce-relief-bills-military-toxic-exposures-come-light.html
