TREA Members,
The wait is OVER!
After nearly two years of tireless work by TREA, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (NC) introduced S. 4393, the Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020 (TEAM Act), which will fundamentally reform and improve how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Specifically, the TEAM Act:
- Provides consultation and testing through VA for eligible veterans exposed to toxic substances.
- Requires VA to respond to new scientific evidence regarding diseases associated with toxic exposure within an established timeframe.
- Establishes a scientific commission to research the health effects of toxic exposure in veterans and report the commission’s findings to VA and Congress.
- Ensures VA enters into agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct scientific studies regarding associations between diseases and exposure to toxic substances during military service.
- Develops an online portal for veterans to access the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record.
- Expands training on toxic exposure issues for VA health care and benefits personnel.
- Requires VA to develop a questionnaire for primary care appointments to help determine whether a veteran may have been exposed to toxic substances during service.
TREA has worked hand in hand with The Toxic Exposures in The American Military Coalition, comprised of over 30 Veteran and Military Service Organizations, and has been a proud advocate for Coalition efforts. To learn more about our Coalition, visit the website here: https://theteamcoalition.org/
We will continue to fight to ensure the bill reaches the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, but we need your help. Please contact your Senators and urge them to support S. 4393, “The TEAM Act of 2020” by following the link below: