Veterans benefits improvement act of 1994

[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
From the 1994 Presidential Documents Online via GPO Access [frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:pd07no94_txt-28]

[Page 2250-2251]

Monday, November 7, 1994

Volume 30--Number 44
Pages 2193-2275

Week Ending Friday, November 4, 1994

Statement on Signing Veterans Benefits Legislation

November 2, 1994

Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5244, the ``Veterans'
Benefits Improvements Act of 1994'' and H.R. 3313, the ``Veterans Health
Programs Extension Act of 1994.'' These bills address important areas of
concern for our Nation's veterans.
The primary purpose of H.R. 5244, the ``Veterans' Benefits
Improvements Act of 1994,'' is to authorize compensation to Persian Gulf
War veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from undiagnosed
illnesses possibly incurred during service in the Persian Gulf theater
of operations.
Some of our Persian Gulf War veterans are suffering from illnesses
that cannot be diagnosed based upon current available scientific and
medical data. The lack of a diagnosis at this point, however, should not
stop us from providing an expeditious and compassionate response to
these veterans' needs. Our Nation is keenly aware of its responsibility
to the brave men and women who so capably served our country during the
Persian Gulf conflict. This legislation is designed to address their
needs.
The Act authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to compensate
Persian Gulf War veterans who suffer chronic disabilities from
undiagnosed illnesses that became manifest during or within a specified
time after their service in the Gulf region. It also requires the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a uniform and
comprehensive medical evaluation protocol for veterans of the Persian
Gulf conflict suffering from unexplained illnesses. I am pleased to say
that this protocol has already been established. VA medical centers and
facilities are currently providing appropriate medical assessment,
diagnoses, and treatment to Persian Gulf War veterans.
This Act will help to further our investigation into the adverse
health consequences that may be associated with service in the Persian
Gulf, including potential risks to the family members of our veterans,
by requiring the VA to evaluate the health status of spouses and
children of Persian Gulf War veterans. It also requires the VA to
implement an outreach program for Persian Gulf War veterans, including a
newsletter and a toll-free telephone number to provide information
concerning available benefits.
The ``Veterans Health Programs Extension Act of 1994,'' H.R. 3313,
will extend the VA's authority to operate a number of veterans programs
and activities. Significantly, this Act will extend the VA's authority
to provide Persian Gulf War veterans with hospital, nursing home, and
outpatient medical care for disabilities possibly incurred from exposure
to toxic substances or environmental hazards during service in the
Persian Gulf. It also

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extends the VA's authority to provide Vietnam veterans with hospital and
nursing home care for disabilities, which may have resulted from
exposure to dioxin. The Act also extends the VA's authority to provide
priority health care services for disabilities possibly related to
exposure to ionizing radiation during nuclear testing or during certain
service in Japan following World War II. Finally, the Act also
authorizes appropriations of $379.4 million for major medical facility
construction and repair projects and 15.8 million for major medical
facility leases for the VA.
Because of the important benefits that this legislation will provide
to our Nation's veterans and their families, I am very gratified to sign
these two bills into law.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
November 2, 1994.

Note: H.R. 5244, approved November 2, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
446, and H.R. 3313, approved November 2, was assigned Public Law No.
103-452.