The Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act will require the collection of information on exposure to burn pits, which can cause respiratory illness, to ensure servicemembers and veterans who test positive for COVID-19 get the care they need

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced legislation to ensure that servicemembers and veterans with previous exposure to burn pits receive the care they need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Pandemic Care for Burn Pits Exposure Act would require the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ask servicemembers and veterans who have tested positive for a virus designated by the federal government as a pandemic, including COVID-19, if they were previously exposed to burn pits, so they can properly address their medical needs and ensure they receive proper care. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).

“Many of our servicemembers and veterans are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus pandemic, especially those who were stationed near burn pits,” Klobuchar said. “As a result of being exposed to toxic substances from burn pits during their military service, many suffer from significant respiratory illnesses, and now they may face heightened health risks during the pandemic due to previous toxic exposure. This legislation would help to ensure that they receive the care they need.”

“Servicemembers and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits during the course of their duty to our nation are more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses. These illnesses, such as asthma, may put individuals at a higher risk of experiencing dangerous symptoms if they contract a virus like COVID-19. Our legislation will require the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to assure that this risk is identified and integrated into patient care plans. It will also enable research on how COVID-19 affects individuals exposed to burn pits so that the government can develop better protection and treatment strategies for those who have answered the nation’s call,” said Rounds.

“After bravely serving our nation, too many Veterans come home with respiratory and neurological illnesses due to burn pit exposure and right now, that is making them more vulnerable to the worst cases of coronavirus,” said Duckworth, a combat Veteran. “As our nation continues to respond to this public health crisis, it’s our duty to make sure Veterans can get the care they need when they return home with health conditions that put them at heightened risk. I’m proud to join Senator Klobuchar in helping to introduce this bipartisan legislation to do that.”

“Exposure to burn pits during one’s military service can often lead to respiratory illnesses, making many veterans even more vulnerable to the respiratory consequences of COVID-19,” Sullivan said. “We need to be clear-eyed about these two serious health challenges and the unique risks facing many of our military service members. I thank Senators Klobuchar, Rounds and Duckworth for joining me on this legislation to gather vital insights about each veteran’s exposure to airborne toxins as they seek testing and treatment related to the pandemic.”

This bill would require DOD and VA to ask servicemembers and veterans – who have tested positive for a virus that is designated as a pandemic by the federal government, including COVID-19 – if they were exposed to burn pits. Servicemembers and veterans exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or stationed near an open burn pit will also be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless they choose to opt out. 

The bill also directs the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence to conduct a study of the health impacts on servicemembers and veterans who test positive for a virus that is designated as a global pandemic – including those who test positive for COVID-19 – and were exposed to burn pits and toxic substances. 

The legislation is endorsed by the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) coalition, which is comprised of 30 organizations, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Wounded Warrior Project.

"This new legislation builds on recent successes we have had partnering with Sen. Klobuchar in addressing the impacts of burn pits and other toxic exposures on servicemembers and veterans," said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America CEO Jeremy Butler. "We applaud her leadership on this issue and that she appreciates the need to understand the impacts of pandemics on those who have suffered toxic exposures."

“We greatly appreciate Senators Klobuchar, Rounds, Duckworth, and Sullivan, in their tireless advocacy in protecting Service members and Veterans affected by burn pits and other toxic exposures,” said Derek Fronabarger, a spokesperson for the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition. “Collecting additional data and informing the treating medical professional of historical lung exposures is a critical step in understanding the risk factor of a patient affected by COVID-19. We support this legislation and look forward to seeing it pass.”

In April, Klobuchar and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) wrote a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take additional measures to make certain that our at-risk veterans – including those exposed to burns pits and other toxic substances – receive the care they need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In December 2019, Klobuchar announced that her bipartisan Burn Pits Accountability Act with Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Burn Pits Accountability Act requires members of the Armed Forces to be evaluated for exposure to toxic airborne chemicals during routine health exams and to direct the Secretary of Defense to record and share whether servicemembers were based or stationed near an open burn pit, including any information recorded as part of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, the Periodic Health Assessment (PHAs), Separation History and Physical Examination (SHPEs), and Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHAs). Members will also be enrolled in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless they choose to opt out, if they were exposed to toxic airborne chemicals or stationed near an open burn pit. 

In September 2018, provisions based on the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act led by Klobuchar and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) was signed into law as part of the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, and created the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence within the VA focused on researching the health effects associated with burn pits and treating veterans who become sick after exposure.

###