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GULF WAR VETERANS’ HILL VISITS
Research has shown that Gulf War Illness (GWI) – a complex, chronic, and often debilitating disease, affects one-‐third of 1991 Gulf War veterans – is physiologic and not psychological in nature and was likely caused by the interplay between Gulf War toxic exposures and genetic factors. Additional U.S. forces may also be at risk.
The persistent and debilitating neurological and immune dysfunction present in Gulf War veterans with GWI is apparent with varying symptoms, which can include debilitating fatigue, cognitive and other neurologic symptoms, gastrointestinal problems, skin problems, chronic widespread pain, persistent headaches, respiratory issues, and others.
There are elevated rates of brain cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and possibly other serious health conditions among 1991 Gulf War veterans, and there is concern among researchers that GWI may develop into life-‐threatening neurological disorders as this population ages.
There are currently no effective treatments. Progress towards treatments has been achieved largely through the work of two organizations created by Congress, the Gulf War Illness research program of the DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), and the VA Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RAC). Both currently need Congressional action in order to continue.
1) H.R. 4261 / S. (TBD): Gulf War Health Research Reform Act of 2014
• History: The Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998 created an independent oversight body, the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RAC-‐GWVI), to evaluate the effectiveness of federal Gulf War health research and to provide advice and recommendations to the federal government and Congress on developing effective treatments.
• Need: This necessary remedial legislation is the first update to that landmark legislation. It reflects lessons learned since that time and will significantly enhance and strengthen federal Gulf War health research.
• Overview: The first two-‐thirds of the bill restructures and strengthens the RAC. The latter third of the bill redirects VA to fulfill specified, previously statutorily-‐mandated health research related to Gulf War, OIF, and OEF veterans that VA has failed to conduct.
• Authors: House: HVAC Oversight & Investigations Chair Rep. Mike Coffman (R-‐CO) and Ranking Member Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-‐AZ), HVAC Ranking Member Rep. Mike Michaud (R-‐ME). Senate: TBD.
• Cost: Expected to be revenue-‐neutral because it uses the existing RAC budget. • Supported by: VFW, AMVETS, VVA, Veterans for Common Sense, Sergeant
Sullivan Center, National Vietnam & Gulf War Coalition, Independent Budget VSO’s (IBVSO’s).
Current Status. House: Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee hearing held; awaiting markup. Seeking additional cosponsors. Senate: Currently awaiting a Senate companion bill. Seeking cosponsors.
GULF WAR VETERANS’ HILL VISITS, ct’d.
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2) Gulf War Illness CDMRP – FY15 Gulf War Illness Treatment Research Funding The treatment-‐focused Gulf War Illness Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) is a unique federal program. FY15 Defense appropriation needed.
• History: Began in FY06, in response to demonstrated need for a treatment-‐focused GWI medical research program outside of VA.
• Need: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the RAC have both found that effective treatments for Gulf War Illness can likely be found with a sustained federal research effort. This Congressionally-‐directed program must be specifically funded each year, or it will die on the vine.
• Funding Level: Last year’s funding (FY14, which was the same as FY13): $20 million. The Senate is seeking slight increase over last year’s funding level. This is still a very small program by research standards.
• Successes: Found the first treatment that helps some GWI symptoms: CoQ10. • Very Different from VA: Unique, treatment-‐focused program. VA funds only VA
researchers; CDMRP funds any qualified researcher, with special emphasis on broad, diverse, interdisciplinary research collaborations.
• Supported by: American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, VVA, Veterans for Common Sense, Sergeant Sullivan Center, Independent Budget VSO’s (IBVSO’s), National Vietnam & Gulf War Coalition. The Independent Budget Veterans Service Organizations (IBVSOs, composed of AMVETS, DAV, PVA, VFW, and 53 other organizations that serve veterans) report that the GWI CDMRP, “has made great strides in the short time it has been operating.”
Current Status.
• HOUSE: Michaud-‐Roe Dear Colleague garnered 69 House cosigners, the largest number ever (requesting the necessary resources). Now awaiting Defense Appropriations Subcommittee “markup”.
• SENATE: Rockefeller-‐Baldwin Dear Colleague currently seeking Senate cosigners (Requesting $25 million for FY15). First cosigner was Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Chair Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-‐VT). Staff Contacts: Seth Gainer in Sen. Rockefeller’s office, or Danielle Gilliam-‐Moore in Sen. Baldwin’s office. DEADLINE: May 1st.
3) H.R. 503/S. 995: National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act
There is not yet a memorial to commemorate the service of the veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, a major coalition victory that resulted in the removal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait, at a loss of 293 U.S. troops who died in theater, including 148 KIAs. This bill would authorize a privately funded memorial on federal land in DC.
• Current Status: Seeking Additional Cosponsors, Awaiting Floor Action. HOUSE: Authored by Rep. Phil Roe (R-‐TN) + 107 cosponsors; reported out of Committee (amended). SENATE: Authored by Sen. John Boozman (R-‐TN) and Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-‐IN); reported out of committee without amendment.
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