Bipartisan legislation introduced to understand impacts of coronavirus on those with burns pits and other toxic exposures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 3, 2020
CONTACT: press@IAVA.org

New York, NY – Today Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), released the following statement applauding U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for introducing bipartisan legislation together with Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) to support at-risk veterans across the country who are disproportionately susceptible to potentially life-threatening symptoms brought on by COVID-19.

“This new Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act builds on recent successes we have had in addressing the impacts of burn pits and other toxic exposures on servicemembers and veterans,” said Butler. “We applaud the Senators’ leadership on this issue and their interest in understanding the impacts of pandemics on those who have suffered toxic exposures.”

IAVA is an active member of the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) coalition that draws attention to the health impacts on servicemembers by burn pits and other toxicants and is working to provide benefits to those who have been exposed. In addition to our policy work, IAVA’s flagship program, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF), provides 24/7 confidential peer-to-peer support, comprehensive care management and resource connections for all veterans. The full scope of the program and ways to connect to QRF can be found here.

Founded by an Iraq veteran in 2004, IAVA is the non-partisan leader in advocacy, public awareness and 1-on-1 care management and peer support. We organize locally, drive historic impacts nationally and fight for over 400,000 veterans and their allies nationwide. If a veteran or their family is in need of assistance now, please reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 1-855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist you.

###