Legislation

Joint Bill

S.454/H.R. 1355

"K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021"

Senate: by Senators Blumenthal, Brown, Baldwin, Feinstein, and Menendez

House: Representatives Stephen Lynch, Mark Green, and 58 other Co-Sponsors

Presumptions of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to certain toxic substances by Members of armed forces serving at Karshi Khanabad Airbase, Uzbekistan.


Toxic Substances Include:


Jet Fuel

Volatile organic compounds

High levels of particulate matter and dust resulting from open burn pits

Depleted Uranium

Lead-based paint

Asbestos 


More

S. 454/H.R. 1355 K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021

SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021’’


SECTION 2: PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION:


  • A disease becoming manifest in a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, at any time during the period beginning on January 1, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2005, shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during the period of such service.


  • DISEASES SPECIFIED —The diseases specified are illnesses and diseases that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determine have a positive association, including a sufficient, limited, or suggestive association, with exposure to any of the following substances:
  • Jet fuel.
  • Volatile organic compounds.
  • High levels of particulate matter and dust resulting from open burn pits,
  • Depleted uranium.
  • Asbestos.
  • Lead-based paint.


SECTION 3: HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS:


  • A veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, during the period beginning on January 1, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2005, is eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for any illness or disease for which the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determine has a positive association, including a sufficient, limited, or suggestive association, with exposure to any of the following substances, notwithstanding that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that such illness or disease is attributable to such service:
  • Jet fuel.
  • Volatile organic compounds.
  • High levels of particulate matter and dust resulting from open burn pits,
  • Depleted uranium.
  • Asbestos.
  • Lead-based paint.

SECTION 4: INCLUSION OF K2 VETERANS IN THE OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY

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