More veterans who were exposed to toxic substances while serving in the Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) during the Vietnam War would have access to health benefits under a bill recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) with support from U.S Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ).
Moran introduced the Fairness for Korean DMZ Veterans Act of 2017 with U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) on Nov. 1, and MacArthur introduced companion legislation in the House in July. The bill would make veterans that served in the Korean DMZ from September 1967 to August 1971 eligible for covered treatments.
“Many veterans who served in the Korean DMZ during the Vietnam War are suffering from significant health conditions associated with exposure to toxic herbicides, and some of these veterans are still excluded from qualifying for the healthcare benefits they need,” Moran said. “The Fairness for Korean DMZ Veterans Act would help more Korean DMZ veterans have access to critical healthcare benefits they have been previously denied.”
Currently, only veterans who served in the Korean DMZ from April 1968 to August 1971 are eligible for health care benefits to treat conditions related to exposure to Agent Orange. However, Department of Defense documents indicate that the current presumptive date range doesn’t cover additional veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in the DMZ.
“I’m grateful that Sen. Moran is introducing the Fairness for Korean DMZ Veterans Act in the Senate,” MacArthur said. “As the son of a Korean War veteran and representative of more than 50,000 veterans, I originally introduced this bill in the House because I believe we have a moral obligation to provide quality care for our veterans. This bill will ensure hundreds of veterans who served at the Korean DMZ that are suffering from Agent Orange and other herbicide-related conditions finally receive the care they deserve.”
Carlos Fuentes, the national legislative service director at the VFW, said the organization is proud to stand with Moran in support of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances in the Korean DMZ prior to April 1968.
“Those veterans, from several Army units, supported our Korean allies and their service has caused health problems which cannot be ignored,” Fuentes said. “This legislation would properly recognize the earlier time period that Agent Orange was used and, in turn, clear the hurdles that veterans have faced when securing their earned benefits from VA.”