FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) is an original co-sponsor of legislation that was filed today dealing with veterans who suffer from Persian Gulf War Illnesses. The Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998 would provide a scientific framework for compensating Gulf War veterans for diseases and disabilities resulting from their service in Southwest Asia.
"Many Persian Gulf War veterans who got sick after the war share similar symptoms," Peterson said. "It seems like we should use these symptoms as the basis for compensation, rather than some yet-to-be determined causes."
The bill would put in place a permanent basis for compensating vets and provide important information about which approaches are most effective for treating their illnesses. The plan also calls for an independent agency to advise VA on the appropriateness of the federal research agenda on the numerous illnesses suffered by Gulf vets and the probable causes of these illnesses.
"This approach would require that scientists determine which conditions are most likely the result of Gulf War service, but veterans would not have to prove that a certain exposure caused their illness," Peterson continued. The legislation would presume a particular disease is service-connected if there is a higher prevalence among Gulf Ware veterans than other veterans of the same era.
The American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and the Gulf War Resources Center have expressed support for this legislation.