H.R. 6127

Extension of Health Care Eligibility for Veterans Who Served at Qarmat Ali Act

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I

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6127

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 15, 2010

Mr. Buyer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the continued provision of health care services to certain veterans who were exposed to sodium dichromate while serving as a member of the Armed Forces at or near the water injection plant at Qarmat Ali, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Extension of Health Care Eligibility for Veterans Who Served at Qarmat Ali Act.

2.

Department of Veterans Affairs continued provision of health care services to certain veterans who were exposed to sodium dichromate while serving as a member of the Armed Forces at or near the water injection plant at Qarmat Ali, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom

(a)

In general

Paragraph (1) of section 1710(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(F)
(i)

Subject to paragraph (2), a veteran described in clause (ii) is eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any disability, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such disability may be associated with the exposure described in clause (ii)(II).

(ii)

A veteran described in this clause is a veteran who—

(I)

served on active duty at or near the water injection plant at Qarmat Ali, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom;

(II)

is notified by the Secretary of possible exposure to sodium dichromate (or other toxic substances) occurring during such service; and

(III)

enrolls in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of this title pursuant to clause (i) before the date that is five years after the date on which the Secretary notifies the veteran as described in subclause (II).

(iii)

The Secretary may base a notification described in clause (ii)(II) on information received from the Secretary of Defense.

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Paragraph (2)(B) of such section is amended by striking or (E) and inserting (E), or (F).