Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act or the TEAM Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand health care, benefits, and resources for veterans with conditions related to exposure to toxic substances. Specifically, the bill expands eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to include veterans who (1) were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, and were awarded certain medals (e.g., the Armed Forces Service Medal); (2) are eligible for inclusion in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry; or (3) have been identified by the Department of Defense to have been possibly exposed during service to an open burn pit, toxic substance, or specified hazardous sites. (A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.) The bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain toxic substances and that become manifest within a certain time period; the VA must specify such diseases and requirements through regulations. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. The bill also requires the VA to take specified actions to (1) evaluate scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to toxic substances; (2) train its health care personnel on identifying, treating, and assessing illnesses related to such exposure; and (3) provide resources to veterans exposed to toxic substances.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesAfghanistanAsiaConflicts and warsCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsDisability assistanceEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureFiresGovernment information and archivesHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth care coverage and accessHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHospital careIraqKuwaitMedical researchMiddle EastMilitary operations and strategyPublic-private cooperationResearch and developmentSolid waste and recyclingSyriaVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation
TEAM Act
USA117th CongressHR-2127| House
| Updated: 6/16/2021
Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act or the TEAM Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand health care, benefits, and resources for veterans with conditions related to exposure to toxic substances. Specifically, the bill expands eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to include veterans who (1) were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, and were awarded certain medals (e.g., the Armed Forces Service Medal); (2) are eligible for inclusion in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry; or (3) have been identified by the Department of Defense to have been possibly exposed during service to an open burn pit, toxic substance, or specified hazardous sites. (A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.) The bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain toxic substances and that become manifest within a certain time period; the VA must specify such diseases and requirements through regulations. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. The bill also requires the VA to take specified actions to (1) evaluate scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to toxic substances; (2) train its health care personnel on identifying, treating, and assessing illnesses related to such exposure; and (3) provide resources to veterans exposed to toxic substances.
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesAfghanistanAsiaConflicts and warsCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsDisability assistanceEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureFiresGovernment information and archivesHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth care coverage and accessHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHospital careIraqKuwaitMedical researchMiddle EastMilitary operations and strategyPublic-private cooperationResearch and developmentSolid waste and recyclingSyriaVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation