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REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE

July 26, 2007

Questions still cloud understanding of Gulf War exposures, illnesses
 

For more information, contact: Jeff Phillips (202) 225-3527

Washington, D.C. — The Subcommittee on Health held an oversight hearing today on Gulf War exposures and to prepare for a comprehensive report expected later this year on scientific research done on Gulf War illnesses.

“I am pleased the subcommittee is having this hearing to follow-up on the previous work of this committee and Congress,” said subcommittee member Jerry Moran (R-Kansas). “We must make sure our government is giving this important issue the attention it deserves – both for those who have served and those who are serving today.”

Testimony today focused on the incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease) among Gulf War veterans and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research and treatment of Gulf War illnesses.

The scope of federal research on Gulf War illnesses is broad, ranging from small pilot studies to large-scale epidemiology studies involving large populations and major center-based research programs. However, a lack of systematic baseline medical data and reliable exposure data has vexed researchers.

James Binns, chairman of VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses told members that the federal government has spent over $300 million on Gulf War illnesses research, roughly one-third by VA and two thirds by the Department of Defense.

“Some of that research was productive,” Binns said. “Much of that money, however, was misspent on the false theory that these illnesses were caused by psychological stress.”

“In short, Gulf War illness is real, it is serious, and it is still widespread among veterans of the 1991 Gulf War,” said Dr. Lea Steele, scientific director for the research advisory committee. “It is not the result of psychological stress and is not the same thing that happens after every war. Progress has been made in understanding ‘big picture’ questions about Gulf War illness and health issues affecting Gulf War veterans. The Research Advisory Committee believes that remaining important questions can also be answered and must be addressed. The federal government has a continuing obligation to attend to the health problems affecting veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Further, a more complete understanding of Gulf War illness is required to ensure that similar problems do not affect future American troops deployed to war.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas Mikolajcik, a veteran with ALS, expressed concern over the decentralized research effort, telling members, “the government should be compelled to assume a leadership position for ALS research.”

Mikolajcik proposed a congressionally directed task force to identify a lead federal agency for the research of ALS and a strategic plan to address a comprehensive, forward looking and all inclusive research program for the disease. All three panels agreed with the concept of a research oversight committee to ensure quality scientific research is addressing the needs of Gulf War veterans, and veterans with ALS.

“It is our duty to provide our nation’s veterans with access to the best health care possible,” said Henry Brown (R-S.C.). “It is necessary for a comprehensive VA/DoD policy to ensure this quality care, and the establishment of a research oversight committee may be the right direction to serve Gulf War veterans and the growing number of veterans with ALS.”

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Larry Scott  --