WASHINGTON, DC – August 2, 2022 – On August 1^st, the Senate passed a bill (called the PACT Act) improving health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. The Senate passed the act by a vote of 86 to 11 after having rejected it the previous week. The House approved it last month. The next step is for confirmation by President Biden. In a statement August 1^st, the President said “While we can never fully repay the enormous debt we owe to those who have worn the uniform, today the United States Congress took important action to meet this sacred obligation” and to care for veterans and their families. Medical care will be offered to over 3 million veterans.

This was the third Senate vote since June. The first vote had immense approval. A second vote was necessary because the Senate introduced a tax provision before the first vote which, according to the Constitution, should originate in the House. The House resolved this issue and sent it back to the Senate for ratification. However, this became a partisan issue when Republicans decided to block the bill because they decided to change another aspect of the bill calling for an annual budget review and reassessment rather than having the funding guaranteed by a mandatory spending designation.

This defeat set off an outpouring of anger from veterans’ groups and advocates, including comedian and activist Jon Stewart. In response, many veterans and their families protested by camping out at the Capitol in spite of hot, humid and rainy conditions. They also voiced their support for the bill by being in the Senate during the vote. Many Republicans were caught in the middle between supporting veterans who had placed defending their country ahead of their own health and holding up a top legislative priority of the service organizations.

Millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits will have easier access to medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs and have expedited disability payments. The PACT Act (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins) directs the VA that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers were related to burn pit exposure and, therefore, are service-connected. One of the cancers codified in the bill is glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. The President’s oldest son was an Iraq War veteran who had died at a young age when he became afflicted with this rare cancer after his tour of duty. Biden said in March, “When the evidence doesn’t give a clear answer…the decision we favor is caring for our veterans while we continue to learn more – not waiting.”

Any service member stationed in a combat zone since 1990 could have been exposed to toxic burn pits so they will no longer have to prove that these illnesses were service-connected. According to the Department of Defense, about 70% of prior disability claims related to exposure to burn pits have been denied by the VA for insufficient evidence and scientific data. One day before the recent vote, Stewart spoke in front of the Capitol, “We owe a debt of gratitude to (veterans). And it’s about time we start paying it off.”

 

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Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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WASHINGTON, DC – April 25, 2022 – On April 25, 2022, The Veterans Administration (VA) has identified that service personnel can develop rare cancers of the respiratory tract from their exposure to airborne hazards like fine particulate matter and toxic gases from burn pits and other military-related environments. These are in addition to 3 other service-connected conditions related to particulate matter exposure: asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. Veterans who are concerned about any kind of hazardous exposure during their military service are encouraged to speak with their health care provider and to apply for VA health care. Eligible veterans are encouraged to participate in the Airborne Hazards & Open Burn Pit Registry. This can enable the VA to better understand the long-term effects of exposure to burn pits. Veterans who may have a service-connected disability from their exposure to burn pits or to other military exposures to fine particulate matter may file a claim for compensation and benefits.

Burn pits are open trash sites that are used to dispose of military waste. They were a common practice in Southwest Asia operations since 1990 including in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many types of waste products were commonly disposed of in the open burn pits including: chemicals, paint, medical and human waste; munitions and unexploded ordnance; petroleum, cans, plastics, tires, wood and food waste. According to Pentagon estimates, large military bases produced over 60 thousand pounds of waste a day. In 2009, Congress passed laws to reduce the number of burn pits. The Department of Defense is planning to stop this practice.

An airborne hazard refers to a potentially toxic gas, substance or contaminant that is present in the air that people breathe. Other airborne hazards that military service members may have been exposed to include: sand, dust and particulate matter; general air pollution that is common in some countries; fuel, aircraft exhaust, and fumes from motors; and smoke from burning oil wells.

The inhalation of toxic fumes from the combustion of waste in open burn pits are felt to cause short-term and long-term health conditions. Short-term problems are frequently temporary and may include irritation of eyes or throat, burning, coughing, breathing difficulties, skin itching or rashes. People may be at a greater risk to develop long-term health problems depending upon the type of waste burned, duration, frequency and proximity to exposure. Thousands of veterans suffer from respiratory problems, neurologic problems and many other types of cancers that they attribute to their exposure to burn pits.

 

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Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ASHEVILLE, NC – August 10, 2022 – The CDC reports that the transmission level for Buncombe County is medium for the week ending August 1^st. Most of North Carolina is high. For a community at a medium transmission level, the CDC recommends:

• Wear a mask on public transportation.
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and take additional precautions.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on July 30^th indicate:

• There have been 229 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days up from 215 cases from the previous week.
• 67% of the total population have received their full primary vaccination series. This is up 1% from last week.
• 65% of people with their full primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This is unchanged over the past 4 weeks.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 76 and has increased by 27% since last week and of ICU patients is 9 and has increased by 2 since the previous week.
• Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for the Metropolitan Sewer District for Buncombe County is moderately increasing for the time period ending July 27^th. The CDC website reports that current virus levels are moderately higher than past historical levels for the time period ending August 1^st.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should protect themselves and others by wearing a mask.
• Effective May 4, 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and the CDC recommend wearing masks in health care and long-term care settings. The N95 or KN95 mask offers the best protection. Wear a mask that is well-fitting.

 

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Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour