Reps. Lee, Amodei Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Health Care for NV Veterans’ Exposed to Radiation and Toxins
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) and Republican Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-04) introduced bipartisan legislation expanding access to health care for Nevada veterans who have suffered from exposure to radiation and toxic materials as a result of nuclear testing in Nevada. The Presumption for Radiation or Toxin Exposure Coverage for Troops (PROTECT) Act would establish a presumption that certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR).
In 2000, Congress passed the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Act (EEOICPA) which entitled nuclear weapons workers as well as some Department of Energy personnel to receive free medical treatment and fair financial compensation for specific illnesses they contracted as a result of nuclear weapons production and testing. However, it did not cover veterans not involved in DOE operations or that were otherwise omitted for national security reasons. This bipartisan legislation would expand similar VA benefits to veterans that were assigned to impacted areas of NTTR, offering them the potentially life-saving medical treatment and financial compensation they need and deserve.
“Our men and women in uniform make countless sacrifices to keep our nation safe, so it’s our duty to protect them from invisible enemies like toxic radiation exposure,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I helped pass the bipartisan PACT Act to do just that, and I’m continuing that work to get these veterans the long overdue care they deserve. This legislation will help save lives and bring justice to thousands of veterans who proudly served our country.”
“Veterans, who made such selfless sacrifices for our nation, should not have to move mountains to prove they are suffering as a result of their service,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. "Yet, hundreds of veterans who were stationed at the NTTR during that time frame have been denied the benefits they rightfully earned because exposure to toxic chemicals is microscopic, often referred to as the invisible enemy. I will continue to amplify the indisputable access to care our veterans deserve throughout their post-service lives.”
The legislation is endorsed by The Invisible Enemy, a veterans-rights organization composed of veterans and downwinders fighting for the thousands of military personnel who suffered or died from exposure to toxic radiation and materials from decades of nuclear weapons testing at NTTR. You can read more about their work here.
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