Vietnam Veterans of America praised a House Appropriations Committee provision that would establish individual Toxic Exposure offices within every Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Vietnam Veterans of America commends the House Appropriations Committee for establishing individual Toxic Exposure offices within every Veterans Integrated Service Network,” VVA National President Tom Burke said in a statement. “This is a vital step toward improving the delivery of care to those living with the effects of toxic exposure.”
Burke said the centers are “long overdue” and credited Chairman John Carter and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, for advancing the initiative.
“Veterans deserve specialized care from professionals who understand the complexities of toxic exposure,” Burke said. “Staffing these centers with experts in environmental and toxic exposures is essential to developing the most effective treatment plans and ensuring that toxic exposed servicemembers and veterans receive the highest standard of care.”
The proposal comes as implementation of the PACT Act continues to increase the number of claims filed by veterans seeking benefits and medical care related to toxic exposure. According to VVA, the specialized offices would help ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs has the staffing and clinical expertise needed to meet growing demand.
Vietnam Veterans of America is a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to advocate for Vietnam-era veterans on issues including health care, disability benefits, POW/MIA accountability and the long-term effects of military toxic exposure, according to the organization’s website.
