Agent Orange Extension is a Band-Aid

Agent Orange Advocacy http://covvha.net/

© 2014 ‎(COVVHA) Children Of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC
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Agent Orange Extension is a Band-Aid

Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide containing Dioxin, utilized to defoliate the jungles of Southeast Asia has come to be known as the deadly herbicide deployed by the United States. Agent Orange is a known toxin linked to multiple health conditions to those directly exposed. Direct exposure constitutes literally breathing, drinking, and operating in areas affected by Agent Orange.

Indirect exposure is believed to account for Veteran’s children suffering health conditions from altered genetics of those directly exposed. Today, children of Vietnam Veterans indirectly exposed face daily struggles in managing their health conditions and coming to terms with a second generation of children indirectly exposed to Agent Orange; health conditions associated with Agent Orange have crossed generations.

September 30th, 2015 the Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015 S.2082, has been extended for one ‘General Issue’ government year following a Senate Hearing Examining the Impact of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals on Veterans. Indirect exposure to Agent Orange and similar weaponized herbicides alter genetic structure of those directly exposed, giving rise to first and second generation Americans intent on carrying forward the desire to hold the U.S. Government and contracted corporations profiting from herbicide production accountable.

Legislative reasoning for extension lies within the Agent Orange Act of 1991. In 2016, the same extension will be sought yet again by those connected through a desire to continue the comprehensive study on the effects of Agent Orange and other chemical compounds in herbicides utilized upon the jungles of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and other military installations, known and unknown. While the War is long over Agent Orange continues bringing Veterans and their children reduced life-spans, illnesses, and death.

Humanitarian or Patriotic reasoning for extending S. 2082 is not merely based in law. Obtaining the one year extension required concerted efforts by diverse individuals and organizations Truth of suffering caused by Agent Orange is readily apparent to those afflicted; each day Veterans and their children fight degenerative illnesses to birth defects as a result of direct and indirect Agent Orange exposure. Some children of Vietnam Veterans simply seek a measure of peace in gaining recognition that Agent Orange causes their living Vietnam Veteran parents emotional and physical pains. Some children of Vietnam Veterans seek answers and accountability as to why their parent’s died all too young.

The one year extension does not mean our government employees are listening or provisioning reason for hope. September 29, 2015, leadership of the Veterans Administration (VA) attended Veterans Affairs Senate Committee hearing in Washington D.C., titled, Examining the Impact of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals on Veterans and the VA’s Response. Representatives of the VA asserted disinterest, if not complete indifference, to studying the health effects of Agent Orange upon Veteran’s children. Perhaps the VA is being financially prudent in avoiding expanding healthcare resources beyond Veterans. The VA may fear increased costs without budget increases.

For Vietnam Veterans and their children affected by Agent Orange a one year extension allows a measure of relief that some of our elected Representatives are listening, change can be won, and hopes must not be abandoned. The National Academy of Science (NAS) represents an Agency mandated to apply scientific research in efforts to quantitatively account for health conditions associated with those directly and indirectly exposed to Agent Orange. Simply stated, a one year extension will not be conducted when two years of research are required under NAS guidelines. Now, the question of what the one year extension leaves Veterans and their children is at hand.

Gaining the one year extension has proven organizations such as Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance (COVVHA) and others can and have brought legislative change. The United States Government and corporations profited from Agent Orange must be bound to treatment of Vietnam Veterans, their children, and following generations until the final victim of Agent Orange is accounted and cared for. This calls for a long term legislative solution for continuity of care for Vietnam Veterans and their families.

Jason Van Orsdol
COVVHA Member, Son of a Vietnam Veteran

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© 2014 ‎(COVVHA) Children Of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC
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(COVVHA) Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance INC. AO2GEN