H.R. 1372 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1372 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 21, 2013 Mr. Michaud (for himself, Ms. Pingree of Maine, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, and for other purposes. 1. Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Registry (a) Establishment Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Health Registry (in this section referred to as the Registry). (b) Contents Except as provided in subsection (c), the Registry shall include the following information: (1) A list containing the name of each individual who, while serving as a member of the Armed Forces, was stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, at any time during the period beginning January 1, 1956, and ending on December 31, 2006, and who— (A) applies for care or services from the Department of Veterans Affairs under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code; (B) files a claim for compensation under chapter 11 of such title on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (C) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation under chapter 13 of such title on the basis of such service; (D) requests from the Secretary a health examination under subsection (d); or (E) receives from the Secretary a health examination similar to the health examination referred to in subparagraph (D) and requests inclusion in the Registry. (2) Relevant medical data relating to the health status of, and other information that the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate with respect to, each individual described in paragraph (1) who— (A) grants to the Secretary permission to include such information in the Registry; or (B) at the time the individual is listed in the Registry, is deceased. (c) Individuals Submitting Claims or Making Requests Before Date of Enactment If in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1) the application, claim, or request referred to in such subsection was submitted, filed, or made, before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, include in the Registry such individual's name and the data and information, if any, described in subsection (b)(2) relating to the individual. (d) Examinations Upon the request of a veteran who was stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown at any time during the period beginning January 1, 1956, and ending on December 31, 2006, the Secretary shall provide the veteran with a health examination (including any appropriate diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling with respect to the results of the examination and the tests. (e) Outreach (1) Ongoing outreach to individuals listed in Registry The Secretary shall, from time to time, notify individuals listed in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. (2) Examination outreach The Secretary shall carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to the provision of any health examinations (including any diagnostic tests) and consultation and counseling services under subsection (d). (f) Department of Defense Information The Secretary of Defense shall furnish to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such information maintained by the Secretary of Defense as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs considers necessary to establish and maintain the Registry. (g) Annual report Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the Registry, including— (1) the number of veterans included in the Registry; (2) any trends that exist with respect to veterans included in the Registry and claims for compensation under chapters 11 or 13 of title 38, United States Code; (3) a description of the outreach efforts made by the Secretary under subsection (e) during the period covered by the report; and (4) such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate.