Chairman Diaz urges Congress to support Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act

MIAMI-DADE – Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz sponsored a resolution that passed during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, March 15, urging Congress to support the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act or similar legislation that would benefit veterans. This act would expand health care for post-9/11 veterans who were exposed to burn pits, including those who are suffering from conditions related to toxic exposure.

“Our veterans make many sacrifices while serving our country and it’s our duty to take every precaution necessary when it comes to their health and well-being. Therefore, I urge Congress to pass this legislation to expand health care to our veterans who are suffering from being exposed to these burn pits and provide them with the care they deserve,” said Chairman Diaz, a veteran, who also serves as the Chairman of the Miami-Dade Military Affairs Board.

This bill also includes measures to improve training on toxic exposures for Veterans Affairs (VA) employees, mandate clinical toxic exposure screenings, and strengthen federal research on the effects of toxic exposures.

Burn pits are sites that are devoted to the open-air combustion of waste, which have been used by the U.S. military for decades. Following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, over 3.5 million veterans were exposed to burn pits, which have been linked to numerous adverse health effects, including certain cancers.