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Legislative Bingo

BY HERB WORTHINGTON, DIRECTOR

Puzzled by the headline? We have introduced the Exposure to Toxic Substances bill three or four times, only to make slight adjustments in the wording. The overall premise is the same: Any veteran who was exposed to toxins can be examined and treated by the VA. And their children and grandchildren can be examined. If offspring have conditions that are the result of a parent’s exposure, they, too, can be treated by the VA at no cost to their families.

But first the bill must get passed.

At this point, H.R.5484 again is having its language tweaked to satisfy someone else. Then it will come out with yet another number to the new Congress. Once again, this is where we will need every one of you, plus your friends and families, to call their representatives and push them to vote yes on the bill. The bill’s new number will be posted on the Agent Orange page of the VVA website. Without your help, our children will not be taken care of, and we will only have ourselves to blame. I know you have heard it over and over, but you can make a difference.

Last issue I mentioned bladder cancer possibly being linked to exposure to Agent Blue. I need to thank all of you who have written to me who either have or know someone who has bladder cancer. I also want to thank all of you who have done research on the subject. Veterans Health Council Director Tom Berger will make a presentation to the Institute of Medicine on the relationship between bladder cancer and defoliants used in Vietnam. If you know of supporting studies, please send the information to me.

Lastly, I need your help on another front. Many of you know celebrities, yet are afraid to ask for their help. We need a nationally known figure to be a spokesperson for the Toxic Research Program for our children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and younger veterans and their offspring. You can contact me with names at hworthington@vva.org