Title
Resolution supporting the “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2021” or other similar legislation that ensures veterans who served near burn pits receive VA health coverage and disability benefits.
Staff Summary
• Approximately 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to burn pits that spewed toxic fumes and carcinogens into the air.
• Veterans subject to exposure are struggling to prove direct service connection necessary to be eligible for Veteran Affairs benefits to cover associated diseases.
• The delay in benefit coverage results in a delay in much needed critical medical care and other support for former servicemembers, an increase in workload for County Veteran Service Officers tasked with connecting veterans to federal benefits, and the potential to shift the responsibility of providing healthcare and other services to county systems.
• The “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2021” was introduced in April 2021, and provides for a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to toxins commonly associated with burn pits.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, approximately 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to burn pits that spewed toxic fumes and carcinogens into the air; and
WHEREAS, veterans subject to exposure are struggling to prove direct service connection necessary to be eligible for Veteran Affairs benefits to cover associated diseases; and
WHEREAS, the delay in benefit coverage results in a delay in much needed critical medical care and other support for former servicemembers, an increase in workload for County Veteran Service Officers tasked with connecting veterans to federal benefits, and the potential to shift the responsibility of providing healthcare and other services to county systems; and
WHEREAS, the “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2021” was introduced in April 2021, and provides for a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to toxins commonly associated with burn pits.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that Lake County supports “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2021” and urges Congress to pass this bill, or any other similar legislation that ensures veterans who served near burn pits receive VA health coverage and disability benefits for associated medical conditions by eliminating or easing the direct service connection requirement and investing in additional research.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on May 11, 2021.