H.R. 3752: Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith Glioblastoma Parity Act of 2025

This bill, named the Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith Glioblastoma Parity Act of 2025, aims to amend existing U.S. laws regarding veterans' health care, specifically focusing on those who served during the Vietnam War era. The key provisions of the bill are as follows:

Background and Findings

The bill presents several findings related to the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War:

• Between 1961 and 1971, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 19 million gallons of herbicides, including 13 million gallons of Agent Orange, in southern Vietnam.
• During the period from 1968 to 1971, about 6,500 spraying missions were conducted over approximately 1.5 million hectares, which encompassed around 12% of South Vietnam, as well as parts of Laos and Cambodia.
• Research indicates that tens of thousands of U.S. service members were exposed to Agent Orange during these operations.
• Continued exposure to Agent Orange has negatively impacted the health and lives of U.S. veterans, Vietnamese people, Vietnamese Americans, and their descendants, leading to various diseases and disabilities.

Service Connection Presumption

The core intention of the bill is to establish a presumption of service connection for glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer, for veterans who served in certain locations during the Vietnam era. The bill proposes that:

• Veterans who have been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and who served in designated areas during the Vietnam War will automatically be presumed to have this condition as a service-related disability.
• This presumption would simplify the process for veterans seeking benefits related to their health and is intended to provide them with needed support without needing to prove direct causation of the illness from military service.

Impact on Veterans

The bill seeks to enhance the support and health care provided to veterans who may be suffering from glioblastoma multiforme due to their service. By establishing this presumption, it aims to:

• Facilitate access to health services and benefits for affected veterans.
• Recognize the ongoing impact of Agent Orange exposure on veterans’ health, particularly in relation to glioblastoma multiforme.
• Promote awareness and address the health needs of veterans impacted by these historic military practices.

Conclusion

Overall, the bill introduces a specific legislative measure to ensure that veterans exposed to harmful herbicides during the Vietnam War receive appropriate medical recognition and support for glioblastoma multiforme, thereby aiming to improve their health outcomes and quality of life.

Relevant Companies

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