Hagan Statement on VA’s Publication of Final Regulations for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims

Targeted News Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- The office of Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today commented on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) publication of the final regulations implementing the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. Hagan played a critical role in the passage of the legislation and has worked in the U.S. Senate to find answers and ensure justice for the veterans and their families affected by water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

"Since coming to the Senate, I have been proud to advocate on behalf of those affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. My office has been pushing the VA to finalize these regulations since Congress passed the bipartisan bill to provide care for contamination victims, and I am relieved that action has finally occurred today," Hagan said. "Our veterans and their families exposed to toxic water contamination have waited too long for answers, and I am pleased they will now begin to receive the critical health care benefits they deserve. This is an important step, but much remains to be done to correct this wrong, and I will continue fighting in the Senate for the people who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune during this tragedy."

The first regulation released by the VA, which will take effect immediately, provides health care services to veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987.

The second regulation will give the VA the ability to reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune family members for out-of-pocket health care costs incurred for any of the 15 covered medical conditions listed in the 2012 law after other health insurance coverage and reimbursement is received. Family members will be eligible to apply for this benefit 30 days following the publication of the VA's regulation.

Additionally, Senator Hagan is fighting in the Senate to expand the dates of eligibility for veterans and their families following the release of an Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) study in 2013 that estimated drinking water at Camp Lejeune exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for certain cancer-causing carcinogens as far back as 1953, four years earlier than previously thought. Hagan joined Senator Richard Burr in introducing legislation that would extend health care coverage for Camp Lejeune veterans and families back to 1953.