Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Health Effects of Vietnam

Health Effects of Vietnam


Just to inform you the hearing on the Health Effects of Vietnam can be viewed on your computer.


You can access the link through the House Veterans Affairs Committee website at:


http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?NewsID=571


That is 10:00 AM TODAY


The transcripts will be posted later for those that miss it.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Agent Orange Ups Some Thyroid Risks (GRAVES DISEASE)

BOSTON -- Vietnam veterans who came in contact with Agent Orange are more likely to develop Graves' disease than those who avoided exposure, researchers said here.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AACE/19761



Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease where the thyroid is diffusely enlarged (known as goiter) and overactive, producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones (a serious metabolic imbalance known as hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis
Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graves'_disease

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Explaining two important bills

H.R. 2254, the Agent Orange Equity Act of 2009 was introduced on May 5,



2009 by Congressman Bob Filner of California . He is the Chairman of the


US House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The bill currently has 253


co-sponsors in the House and is "stuck" in the Subcommittee on


Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Chairman Filner has never


called hearings on H.R. 2254 and is evasive when asked about when


hearings will be held. A companion bill in the US Senate (S-1939) was


introduced by Senator Susan Gillibrand of New York on October 27, 2009


and has only sixteen Senate co-sponsors. It currently sits in the Senate


Veterans Affairs Committee. Senator Akaka, Chairman of that committee


has not responded to requests for information. And, it was just learned


today, that the Institute of Medicine will hold a day-long hearing on


Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure on May 3,


2010 in Washington , DC from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.




This life-saving bill is designed to extend the presumption of herbicide


(Agent Orange) exposure to US Navy veterans serving offshore.


Informally, we are told that members of the House are hesitant to move


because of its potential cost. It is estimated that approximately


265,000 "blue water" Navy and/or US Marine Corps personnel or their


surviving family members will file claims if these two bills become law.




In 1999, the Royal Australian Department of Veterans Affairs discovered


Agent Orange related cancers among sailors of their Navy who had never


set foot in Vietnam . Australian Sailors were developing cancer at an


even higher rate than those who served on the ground. The Australians


found that the distilling process, used by ships to convert salt water


to potable drinking water, was using contaminated water. That process


actually enhanced the effect of the dioxin producing an Agent Orange


cocktail that was ingested by the sailors through their drinking water.


The American VA has inexplicably rejected the study. Although the


Australians have granted an exposure presumption for over five years,


the Americans continue to deny the claims.




In July of 2009, the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM)'s committee


on Agent Orange independently validated the Australian report and


recommended that the exposure presumption be extended to the Navy


veterans. The IOM is required by law to provide recommendations and


scientific support to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA has


rejected the IOM recommendation without adequate explanation.






H. R. 2254 and S-1939 will correct this problem.

Health Effects of the Vietnam War - The Aftermath

Health Effects of the Vietnam War - The Aftermath



Committee Meeting on May 5, 2010


Time: 10:00 A.M.


Place: Cannon House Office Building


Room: 334




Any Vietnam Veterans, Wives, Widows, Caregivers and Advocates that wish to attend can do so.


Those Veterans wishing to attend, please wear your hats that say Vietnam Veteran on it or your unit




Please respond to


www.spouse@bluewaternavy.org

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act Passed by House

Immediate Action Needed on S. 1963 Take Action!



Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act Passed by House


On April 21, 2010, the House of Representatives passed a comprehensive omnibus veterans and caregivers health care bill by a vote of 419-0. DAV and other national veterans service organizations strongly support this legislation. S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, will make a profound difference to the well-being, rehabilitation and recovery of veterans across this country, including combat veterans wounded and disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan. Personal caregivers and other family members will also benefit significantly from the new programs that would be authorized by S. 1963. The bill has now been returned to the U.S. Senate for one final vote before being sent to the President.
For full details on the provisions of the bill, please click here: http://www.dav.org/voters/documents/WoundedVeterans.pdf.

Take action! Follow the link below to contact your senators.
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=14956531&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]