Noteboom The Law Firm

Controversy Surrounding Camp Lejeune Bill Funding

Lawmakers have been forced to find creative solutions in order to fund newly passed legislation, and those solutions are not always been pleasant or popular.

Such is the case with S 277, which the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee passed on June 29, 2011 to help those veterans and their family members exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. The bill would fund the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) health care provided to those exposed to the contamination at the expense of the military's commissaries.

There is almost uniform support for helping exposed veterans and their families. The current plan has the VA providing all necessary care and the Department of Defense (DoD) reimbursing to the VA the cost of the health care. Under S 277 the DoD would be forced to take fairly drastic measures to pay that health care reimbursement.

Not only would they have to cut their commissary funding, the commissary and exchange systems would have to be consolidated into a single operation. According to those in favor of S 277, the bill would "eliminate redundant services" while continuing to provide service members with "goods and services."

Those opposed to S 277 are referring to the commissary provision as a "sneak attack." The language mandating the funding cut and consolidation was not part of the bill as it was originally proposed. Instead, the stipulation was not added until the bill was at committee.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.