She is continuing to build upon this progress and ensure that these veterans get the benefits they earned.
Will continue fighting to secure VA benefits and medical coverage for Nevada veterans exposed to toxic radiation and materials at the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Occurrences
Evidence
H.R.9511 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption that certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the Nevada Test and Training Range for purposes of the treatment of certain disabilities under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Amodei, Mark E. [Rep.-R-NV-2] (Introduced 09/10/2024) ... Latest Action: House - 09/19/2024 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Today, Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV-02) issued the following statement after introducing H.R.9511, the PROTECT Act, the Presumption for Radiation or Toxin Exposure Coverage for Troops Act with Representative Susie Lee (D-NV-03), which would ensure comprehensive medical care to veterans exposed to radiation and other toxins at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) by establishing a presumption of exposure to radiation and toxins at NTTR beginning in 1972.
Congresswoman Lee has fought to ensure victims of our country’s nuclear legacy receive care for exposure to toxic radiation. Her bipartisan Presumption for Radiation or Toxin Exposure Coverage for Troops (PROTECT) Act would establish a presumption that certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), expanding their access to health care. She also pushed for extending and expanding RECA to ensure all radiation victims, including in southern Nevada, get the help they need.
If you have a health condition caused by contact with radiation during your service, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. ... We've added these 3 new response efforts to the list of presumptive locations: Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll ... Palomares, Spain ... Thule Air Force Base ... If you took part in any of these efforts, we’ll automatically assume (or “presume”) that you had exposure to radiation.
VA offers health registry exams, health care, disability compensation and other benefits to eligible Veterans. ... Veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation during military service may be eligible for ... health care, a full range of medical benefits.
— establish presumption that certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at Nevada Test and Training Range for purposes of treatment of certain disabilities (see H.R. ...
Assessments
The promise was to continue fighting to secure VA benefits and medical coverage for Nevada veterans exposed at the Nevada Test and Training Range. The evidence shows Lee did make a serious effort: she co-led and promoted the PROTECT Act to create a presumption of exposure for NTTR veterans, which would expand access to care and benefits. However, the bill was only introduced and referred to subcommittee in the 118th Congress, and later records show continued congressional activity but no enactment or implemented VA policy change specific to NTTR veterans. General VA radiation-exposure benefits already existed, but the record does not show that Lee secured the NTTR-specific expansion promised. Under the rubric, a serious legislative attempt that failed to achieve the promised outcome is scored as never with effort credit.