HR 3639
Vet PFAS act
Vet PFAS Act
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Bill overview
The Vet PFAS Act aims to provide better healthcare benefits for veterans and their family members who were stationed at military installations where exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), like perfluorooctanoic acid, occurred. It establishes a presumption of service connection for specific conditions – such as high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and certain cancers – linked to PFAS exposure, and extends eligibility for hospital care and medical services to family members who resided at or near these installations or were in utero. The bill also requires annual reporting on the program’s impact.
Key provisions
- Establishes a presumption of service connection for specific diseases and illnesses linked to PFAS exposure.
- Expands eligibility for hospital care and medical services to veterans and their family members exposed to PFAS at covered military installations.
- Includes conditions like high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension under the presumption of service connection.
- Extends coverage to family members who resided at or near covered military installations or were in utero.
- Allows for reimbursement of medical services provided to family members, subject to certain limitations.
- Requires annual reports on the program’s effectiveness and utilization.
- Treats reserve component service at covered installations as equivalent to active duty service.
- Mandates a study by the Department of Health and Human Services to determine associations between PFAS exposure and specific health conditions.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 3639
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans and dependents who were stationed at military installations at which the veterans and dependents were exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid or other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, to provide for a presumption of service connection for certain veterans who were stationed at military installations at which the veterans were exposed to such substances, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act VET PFAS Act
or the
.
Paragraph (1) of section 1710(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
The substances and diseases, illnesses, or conditions specified in this clause are the following:
diagnosed high cholesterol;
ulcerative colitis;
thyroid disease;
testicular cancer;
kidney cancer; and
pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Paragraph (2)(B) of such section is amended by striking or (I)
and inserting (I), or (J)
.
Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
The Secretary may only furnish hospital care and medical services under subsection (a) to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts for such purpose.
The Secretary may provide reimbursement for hospital care or medical services provided to a family member under this section only after the family member or the provider of such care or services has exhausted without success all claims and remedies reasonably available to the family member or provider against a third party (as defined in section 1725(f) of this title) for payment of such care or services, including with respect to health-plan contracts (as defined in such section).
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1787 the following new item:
Each report under paragraph (1) shall set forth the following:
The number of veterans and family members provided hospital care and medical services under the provisions of law specified in paragraph (1) during the period covered by the report.
The illnesses, conditions, and disabilities for which care and services have been provided such veterans and family members under such provisions of law during that period.
The number of veterans and family members who applied for care and services under such provisions of law during that period but were denied, including information on the reasons for such denials.
The number of veterans and family members who applied for care and services under such provisions of law and are awaiting a decision from the Secretary on eligibility for such care and services as of the date of such report.
veteranincludes a former member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces covered by such section 1710(e)(1)(J).
diagnosed high cholesterol;
ulcerative colitis;
thyroid disease;
testicular cancer;
kidney cancer; and
pregnancy-induced hypertension.
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1116B the following new item: