Olympia Snowe: “this resolution is introduced to honor veterans exposed to radiation while serving in the U.S. military. As many of my…”

“this resolution is introduced to honor veterans exposed to radiation while serving in the U.S. military. As many of my colleagues are no doubt aware, many veterans, veterans organizations, and scientists believe that exposure to environmental toxins or unknown diseases during military service has left thousands of veterans vulnerable to an array of disabilities and medical conditions. Over the years, Congress has responded to the concerns of veterans with claims resulting from service in nuclear testing areas, as well as Vietnam veterans suffering from exposure to Agent Orange, and Persian Gulf veterans suffering with the Persian Gulf War Illness. Authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care for diseases possibly linked to radiation has been made permanent. The Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized by Congress to provide special priority for enrollment for health services to any veteran exposed to ionizing radiation while participating in the nuclear weapons testing program, or if he or she served with the U.S. occupation forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki. These veterans are eligible to participate in the VA ionizing radiation registry examination program, under which the VA will perform a complete physical examination, including all necessary tests, for each veteran who requests it.”