FOXNEWS

Jan 30, 2010

AllGov -Senate VA Committee Approves Health Care for Camp Lejeune and Atsugi Toxic Exposure

AllGov - News - Senate VA Committee Approves Health Care for Camp Lejeune and Atsugi Toxic Exposure

Victims of toxic exposure at two U.S. military bases may receive health insurance from the federal government to help with their medical treatments. But even as Senate legislation granting the assistance moved forward on Thursday, one Republican senator continued to criticize the U.S. Navy for not being more proactive about the problem at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the Atsugi Naval Air Facility in Japan.

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, wants the Navy or the Department of Defense to fund studies that will determine the extent of exposure and how many people have died from being at the facilities. He said the unwillingness of military officials to act was “unconscionable,” and vowed to block the nomination of all Navy Department appointees until the service takes action.

Military personnel and their families who were assigned to Camp Lejeune from 1957 to 1987 were exposed to toxic chemicals in the base’s drinking water. Similar exposure occurred from 1983 to 2001 at Atsugi Naval Air Facility as a result of incinerator emissions.

Last August, reports surfaced about abnormally high rates of breast cancer among men stationed at Camp Lejeune. Also, there have been hundreds of other cases of cancer reported among people who lived at the base.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

Lawmaker Threatens Navy Over Toxins (by Bryant Jordan, Military.com)
20 From Camp Lejeune Marine Base Developed Male Breast Cancer, Blame Toxic Water (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
 
 
Military Environmental Hazards Bill Faces Hurdles (read the whole story here)

Congressional jurisdictional issues and Defense Department resistance to accepting responsibility for harming veterans and dependents are major impediments to passing a final bill and ultimately providing medical care.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - There’s a definite need for more “adult supervision” in Washington. Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs passed an original bill, “Examination of Exposures to Environmental Hazards During Military Service Act of 2010.” The vote was 9 to 5 along party lines. Nine democrats voted for the bill while 5 Republicans against it. Senator Jim Webb (D, VA), a Navy Cross Marine veteran, did not vote.

SENATORS DISAGREE OVER CAMP LEJEUNE LEGISLATION

Jan 28, 2010

NC bill giving VA health care to Camp Lejeune families exposed to water contaminants spiked - WGHP

NC bill giving VA health care to Camp Lejeune families exposed to water contaminants spiked - WGHP

By Associated Press


1:29 PM EST, January 28, 2010

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina senator's bill that called for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care to veterans and their relatives who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is dead.

Republican Sen. Richard Burr's bill failed on a 9-5 vote of the Veterans Affairs Committee on Thursday. The proposed law would have granted care at a VA facility to any veteran or family member who suffered adverse health effects from toxic water.

Democrats on the committee did pass an alternative to Burr's bill, which would require the Department of Defense to provide care for five years.
 
5 Years? Gee Thanks.

Other news regarding this decision-

Senate Considers Bill for Environmental Hazard Exposures
Camp Lejeune veterans and family members are automatically covered under the TRICARE program. Veterans and dependents of other bases must await the decision of an Advisory Board. No provision is made for civilian workers injured from exposure to environmental hazards.

Yes some are already covered, however, those who are no longer considered a dependant of a veteran or who are not married to a military veteran, do not have the same advantages of those who are. These are the people, along with the civilians who worked at Lejeune for which we fight for care. The VA is fighting tooth and nail (jump through this hoop) not to cover or care for those vets who have been effected by this but do not receive retirement benefits and in most cases disabilty since leaving service before qualifying years of duty for retirement. You people so disappoint us.

Jan 25, 2010

Akaka Proposal for Camp Lejeune Found Unacceptable by Veterans and Their Families - Salem-News.Com

Akaka Proposal for Camp Lejeune Found Unacceptable by Veterans and Their Families - Salem-News.Com

Jan 23, 2010

Senior CDC Official Reassigned - ProPublica

WASHINGTON - APRIL 01:  Dr. Howard Frumkin (R)...Image by Getty Images via Daylife
Senior CDC Official Reassigned - ProPublica

"Americans should know when their government tells them that they have nothing to worry about from environmental exposure that they really have nothing to worry about," Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC), the subcommittee's chairman, said in a statement to ProPublica regarding Frumkin's reassignment. "The nation needs ATSDR to do honest, scientifically rigorous work. There are many capable professionals at ATSDR who are committed to doing just that."

Since we live with the consequences every day, I doubt seriously any of us would believe what they say at this point. We have great hope that they will do a mortality study soon. If only they would send out medical questionares to those registered, it would go a long way in knowing what effects are possible to this contamination.

Jan 22, 2010

Miller joins fight over tainted tapwater at Camp Lejeune | WNCT

Miller joins fight over tainted tapwater at Camp Lejeune WNCT

By Amy Kibler

Six & Special Projects Producer

Published: January 21, 2010 Updated: January 22, 2010

Another lawmaker from our state is joining the fight over tainted tapwater at Camp Lejeune.

Congressman Brad Miller sent a letter to the Navy with a list of demands for funding of the Camp Lejeune water studies.

The U.S. Navy already agreed to pay more than two million dollars to take another look at a 1998 study, looking at cancer and birth defects in babies born to women on base when the water was contaminated.

Miller also included a January 28th deadline for a response to his letter.

A New Kind of Help for Women Undergoing Cancer Treatment : Smart Girl Nation

A New Kind of Help for Women Undergoing Cancer Treatment : Smart Girl Nation

Jan 16, 2010

Dingell, Stupak, Miller Call on Navy to Fund Camp Lejeune Studies - Salem-News.Com

Dingell, Stupak, Miller Call on Navy to Fund Camp Lejeune Studies - Salem-News.Com

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - U.S. Congressmen John D. Dingell (D-MI), Bart Stupak (D-MI), and Brad Miller (D-NC) sent a letter today to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus regarding an unresolved dispute with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry (ATSDR) over funding of health studies related to the contaminated drinking water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.


The Navy has failed to provide funding requested by ATSDR for a cohort mortality study and a health survey as required by law. ATSDR has stated the cost of the mortality study at $1.5 million. The health survey’s full cost has not yet been determined. The letter and ATSDR’s full request can be found attached to this release.

The Congressmen state in their letter the Navy is obligated by law to pay for these studies. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act – commonly known as the Superfund statute – states that the liable party (the Navy, in this case) is obligated to pay for the health studies the ATSDR administrator deems necessary.

The letter also expressed concern that the Navy continues to delay efforts to provide a more meaningful understanding of the health problems incurred by former Camp Lejeune residents.

The cohort mortality study is particularly important, according to the ATSDR, because “it is the most time-efficient and scientifically valid method to study the health consequences of adult exposures to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.”

Said Congressman Dingell, “It is a regrettable fact that this is not the first time the Navy has shirked its responsibility to provide answers to its Marines and their families exposed at Camp Lejuene. I expect real answers from the Navy about what part of the Superfund statute is not clear in their obligation to pay for these very important studies. After years of dealing with this issue, including through hearings in the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Marines and their families deserve answers now. In fact, they deserved them a long time ago.”

“It is quite clear that the law in this case is on the side of the employees at Camp Lejeune and their families,” Congressman Stupak said. “As the primary health authority, ATSDR has deemed these studies necessary. The Navy has responded by dragging its feet and refusing to pay for the studies – a decision that flies in the face of clear requirements under Superfund statutes. Those affected by hazardous substances at Camp Lejeune deserve action, not delay tactics and stonewalling. I encourage the Navy to focus its efforts on meeting obligations to these men and women in a timely manner rather than finding ways to circumvent critical health studies.”

Said Congressman Miller, “I would prefer if the Navy did the right thing for the right reasons. Fortunately the law requires any polluter, including the Navy, to pay for the studies necessary to find out how much harm has been done to innocent people,” said Miller. “The law doesn’t make victims of toxic exposure, or the ATSDR, beg polluters for justice and the necessary funding; the law gives them rights.”


A copy of the letter to Secretary Mabus and the full ATSDR request can be found at: http://www.house.gov/stupak/stupaknavyfundcamplejeune.pdf



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Jan 9, 2010

Libertarian Republican: Scott Brown on Hannity: Martha Coakley and Dems want to cut TriCare for Military to help fund ObamaCare

Libertarian Republican: Scott Brown on Hannity: Martha Coakley and Dems want to cut TriCare for Military to help fund ObamaCare

Interesting that while reading one of my favorite bloggers today, I come across recognition for a posting I made regarding TriCare and the increase in our premiums.

Thank you Eric Dondero @ Libertarian Republican for giving me credit. I really appreciate your effort and diligence.

This topic of course is close to my heart. It doesn't get anymore personal does it?

Way to go y'all! You made my day.

Stay diligent!

dea@internet-women.net