Today, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs released the following statement after the House passed the VET HP Act, The Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act, as well as a bill to rename a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Outstation in North Ogden, Utah last night.
"I am proud to support all these bills that passed the House today. The VET HP Act, which passed the House in a similar bill last Congress, would increase exposure to veteran-specific healthcare to students interested in medicine. The bill would help increase observation opportunities for students who may not necessarily have access to them and promote career options within VA.
"Many veterans have medical issues potentially resulting from exposure to Burn Pits during their service. VA already has a Burn Pit Registry for these veterans. The Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act would ensure that when a veteran on the registry dies, a designated person or relative may submit the veteran's cause of death to the registry. This would help VA properly document and enhance research efforts with regards to airborne hazards."
Background:
H.R. 1271:Veterans’-Specific Education for Tomorrow’s Health Professionals Act of 2019 (VET HP Act)
The VET HP Act, introduced by Rep. Marcy Kaptur, would require VA to carry out a pilot program to provide undergraduate students with clinical observation experience within VA to increase awareness of medical conditions common to veterans and encourage potential careers in the VA. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
H.R. 1381: The Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act
The Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act, introduced by Rep. Raul Ruiz, would create a process to ensure that the burn pit registry may be updated with the cause of death of a deceased registered individual. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
S. 49: To designate the outstation of the Department of Veterans Affairs in North Ogden, Utah, as the Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation
This legislation, which passed the Senate in February, would rename a VA outstation in North Ogden, Utah as the “Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation”. Read the bill here.
