HR 2127 117th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Administrative law and regulatory procedures Advisory bodies Afghanistan Asia Conflicts and wars Congressional oversight Department of Veterans Affairs Disability assistance Employment and training programs Executive agency funding and structure Fires Government information and archives Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Health care coverage and access Health information and medical records Health personnel Hospital care Iraq Kuwait

TEAM Act

Introduced: April 1, 2021 Introduced by: Bost, Mike Republican · Illinois See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jun 16, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Jun 16, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Mar 23, 2021

Introduced in House

Mar 23, 2021

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act or the TEAM Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand health care, benefits, and resources for veterans with conditions related to exposure to toxic substances.

Specifically, the bill expands eligibility for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to include veterans who (1) were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, and were awarded certain medals (e.g., the Armed Forces Service Medal); (2) are eligible for inclusion in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry; or (3) have been identified by the Department of Defense to have been possibly exposed during service to an open burn pit, toxic substance, or specified hazardous sites. (A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.)

The bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain toxic substances and that become manifest within a certain time period; the VA must specify such diseases and requirements through regulations. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

The bill also requires the VA to take specified actions to (1) evaluate scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to toxic substances; (2) train its health care personnel on identifying, treating, and assessing illnesses related to such exposure; and (3) provide resources to veterans exposed to toxic substances.

What's happening now June 16, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Related & companion bills 1

Bill text 1 version

Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Committees of jurisdiction 3

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee
House of Representatives · subcommittee of Veterans' Affairs Committee
Health Subcommittee
House of Representatives · subcommittee of Veterans' Affairs Committee
Veterans' Affairs Committee
House of Representatives