{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"To direct the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance for individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange, and for other purposes.","description":"

Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of State shall provide assistance: (1) to address the health care needs of covered individuals, (2) to institutions in Vietnam that provide health care to such individuals, (3) to repair and rebuild substandard homes in Vietnam for covered individuals and their families, and (4) to remediate geographic areas of Vietnam that contain high levels of Agent Orange.

A "covered individual" is defined as an individual who is a Vietnam resident and who: (1) is affected by health issues related to Agent Orange exposure which took place between January 1, 1961, and May 7, 1975; (2) lives or had lived in or near geographic areas in Vietnam that continue to contain high levels of Agent Orange; or (3) is the child or descendant of such an individual and is affected by such health issues.

State and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall provide assistance to support research relating to health issues of individuals affected by Agent Orange.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall: (1) make grants to appropriate public health organizations and Vietnamese-American organizations to conduct a broad health assessment of Vietnamese-Americans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and their children or descendants; and (2) establish centers in U.S. locations where large populations of Vietnamese-Americans reside to provide assessment, counseling, and treatment for conditions related to Agent Orange exposure.

The bill amends veterans benefits provisions to provide benefits to the children of male (currently only female) Vietnam veterans who are affected by certain birth defects. The VA shall require any health care provider with whom the VA enters into a contract for the provision of health care to such children to provide the VA access to the medical records of such children for research into the intergenerational effects of Agent Orange exposure.

","legislationIdentifier":"HR 334","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Barbara Lee","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/barbara-lee-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"Asia, Birth defects, Child health, Conflicts and wars, Congressional oversight, Disability and paralysis, Employment and training programs, Environmental health, Foreign aid and international relief, Government lending and loan guarantees, Hazardous wastes and toxic substances, Health care coverage and access, Health information and medical records, Health programs administration and funding, Health technology, devices, supplies, Home and outpatient care, Medical education, Medical research, Medical tests and diagnostic methods, Military personnel and dependents, Nursing, Poverty and welfare assistance, Public-private cooperation, Research administration and funding, Residential rehabilitation and home repair, Surgery and anesthesia, Veterans' medical care, Vietnam, World health","dateModified":"2025-01-03T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-115-HR-334"}

Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee

Foreign Affairs Committee, Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Health Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee