New bill would deal with toxin exposures not covered by Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009.

by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org

On May 8, 2009, we reported on Rep. Bob Filner's (D-CA) new Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009.

It was pointed out at that time that the Act is incomplete as it doesn't keep Filner's promise of presumptives for any vet exposed to Agent Orange anywhere ... whether a point of usage, transportation area or storage area ... and it left out many countries.

This problem could have been solved by using two pieces of legislation submitted by The Veterans Association of Sailors of the Vietnam War (VASVW), a spin-off group of VNVETS.

Their version of the AO Act is here.

Their companion legislation is here.

Even though Filner had excellent guidance from many groups in crafting his legislation, it appears to have veered off course.

Now, we've learned that Filner, according to a number of sources, is introducing a second bill (perhaps this coming week) as a companion to his AO Act of 2009 ... insiders are calling it the Toxins Bill.

But, will it cover all the bases on Agent Orange exposure?

We're not sure.  The folks at VASVW feel it could cover some ... and it could also include Gulf War vets, as well.  No mention, at this time, of Iraq and Afghanistan vets who have been exposed to toxins.

Below are some notes that have come my way in the last couple of days regarding the AO Act and Filner's new bill.

HR 2254 will restore AO presumptive eligibility to the Blue Water Navy [lost in 2002], the Blue Sky Air Force [lost in 1993] and the Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia Veterans [never were allowed to get AO Act of 1991 Benefits]. That rights an awful lot of wrongs. It also kicks down the door to the DVA for other legislation to follow, like the Toxins Bill ... The DVA (VA) already fired back, telling Filner it would cost $27 billion dollars. Well, if there were 900,000 Vietnam Service Medal Recipients going to file claims for AO, that figure would be correct. But we believe there are only 1.2 million Vietnam Veterans left alive and of those some are already receiving benefits, the majority won't apply, and we estimate a maximum of about 10,000 Veterans. IF they all got 100%, all the way back to 2002, that would be about $2.3 Billion this year and about $345 million bump in the annual budget thereafter.

From the Advocates:  Some have told me that Filner is worried about money.  Some are saying the AO Act is right on target.  Some have said it's not inclusive enough.  Others want to know why this takes two bills.  Some will take anything.  Others want everything.

As you can see, the divisions in the veteran community continue.

One veteran who commented on the original story about the new AO Act said:

While he may not have been able to deliver the whole loaf of bread, delivering the half of a loaf is far better than the other congressmen, who have not even offered crumbs to AO victims.

Is this the attitude we should have?  Take half a loaf?  Which half?  If Filner is introducing two bills, and one passes but not the other, who gets the half a loaf?  Which veterans lose? 

More importantly, should we take any stance where any veteran loses?

As they say, stay tuned .....

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KEYWORDS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Agent Orange, Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009, Rep. Bob Filner