Legis Daily

TEAM Act

USA117th CongressS-927| Senate 
| Updated: 4/28/2021
Thomas Tillis

Thomas Tillis

Republican Senator

North Carolina

Cosponsors (12)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4393
TEAM Act of 2020
Mar 23, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 23, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 28, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Jun 16, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2127
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4393
    TEAM Act of 2020


  • March 23, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 23, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 28, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • June 16, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2127
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2127: TEAM Act
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 CongressS-927| Senate 
| Updated: 4/28/2021
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4393
TEAM Act of 2020
Mar 23, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 23, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 28, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Jun 16, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2127
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4393
    TEAM Act of 2020


  • March 23, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 23, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 28, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • June 16, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2127
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Thomas Tillis

Thomas Tillis

Republican Senator

North Carolina

Cosponsors (12)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)Shelley Moore Capito (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2127: TEAM Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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