Bill Looks to Help Veterans Exposed to PFAS Chemicals During Service

A bill is once again being introduced to Congress, aiming to help veterans who have been exposed to PFAS chemicals while serving in the military.

Earlier this week, Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint, Michigan brought back a bill that has been proposed three other times in the last six years. The bill, the Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act (VET PFAS Act) would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to cover the treatment of health conditions caused by PFAS exposure.

The PFAS associated illnesses that would be considered “service-connected" injuries include high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Currently, the VA doesn’t recognize PFAS associated illnesses as service-related, even though PFAS is a known contaminant at military sites all around the world. Also, the Department of Defense denies that veterans were highly exposed.

Kildee previously introduced this bill in 2018, 2019 and in 2022. However, the bill never moved out of committee last session.

“We made a promise to those who signed up to serve our country that we’d take care of them and their families. This bill makes good on that promise by ensuring that all service members exposed to toxic chemicals as a part of their military service get the health care they need,” said Kildee.

The bill is backed by several veteran advocacy groups such as the Disable American Veterans (DAV, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and more. Plus, the legislation is seeing support from environmental groups.

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