In his first Veterans Day as president, Joe Biden announced an effort Thursday to better understand, identify and treat medical conditions suffered by troops deployed to toxic environments. The plan is also designed to make it easier for veterans to make claims based on their symptoms, to collect more data from troops who are suffering and to give veterans more time to make medical claims after symptoms develop.
“Exposure to contaminants and environmental hazards poses a major health concern for veterans of all generations,” the White House said in a fact sheet on the plan. “There are also gaps and delays in the scientific evidence demonstrating conclusive links between known exposures and health impacts, leaving many veterans without access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and high-quality treatment to address significant health conditions.”
The announcement came as President Biden traveled to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony and deliver Veterans Day remarks. The video above shows the ceremony and remarks.
“Our veterans represent the best of America. You are the very spine of America, not just the backbone, you’re the spine of this country,” Biden said. “And all of us, all of us owe you.”
Back in Washington, a group of Democratic lawmakers spent Veterans Day reviving an effort to pay the families of Black service members who fought in World War II but were denied or prevented from taking full advantage of benefits through the GI bill when they returned home. The GI Bill Restoration Act was introduced in the House by Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) and Seth Moulton (D-MA). A Senate bill is expected to be introduced later this month by Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA).
“We all know the GI Bill lifted up a generation of WWII veterans and built the American century. It’s been called the most successful piece of legislation ever. But most Americans don’t know that many Black veterans were left out: denied benefits, denied homes, denied the generational wealth that comes from going to college,” Rep. Moulton said in a statement. “We can never fully repay those American heroes. But we can fix this going forward for their families.”
