Will you be supporting H.R.6238 (Fort McClellan Health Registry Act)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:58:44 -0400

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/fort-mcclellan/

https://www.opencongress.org/bill/hr6238-111/show

Potential Exposure at Fort McClellan - Public Health

Information about potential exposure to hazardous materials at Fort McClellan, possible health-related problems and VA benefits.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 2:59 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:59:56 -0400

Certainly...what is the status...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 3:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:00:38 -0400

"From 1929 to 1971, an off-post Monsanto chemical plant operated south of Fort McClellan in Anniston. PCBs from the plant entered into the environment, and the surrounding community was exposed." The base however did not close until ordered closed in 1999. Numerous health issues have been cited and are similar in scope and nature to other veterans stationed at Fort McClellan as military police trainees, chemical school, and women's corps.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 8:58 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:58:12 -0400

Absolutely. I will contact the entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation with the bill number tomorrow.

Response by SPC Thomas Grassia made Jun 19 at 2015 12:04 AM

SPC Thomas Grassia — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 00:04:00 -0400

The Resolution you are citing, H.R. 6238, was introduced by Congressman Paul Tonko of New York's 20th congressional district on Sep 28, 2010 during the 111th Congress, 2009–2010. It received only one cosponsor and the bill was referred to committee where it died.

Then Congressman Tonko introduced H.R. 2052 (Fort McClellan Health Registry Act) on May 26, 2011. This time the bill received 27 cosponsors however it was once again referred to committee where it died never being brought to the House floor for a vote.

He then introduced H.R. 411 on January 23, 2013 and although it received 84 cosponsors it too never made it out of committee and died at the end of the session.

The newest bill from Congressman Tonko is H.R. 2622 introduced June 2, 2015. This is the Resolution before the committee at the present time.

Thank you for bringing this up Sergeant. I just finished rewriting my website on the subject to include the new legislation. http://TheFortMacVets.org

The Fort McClellan Veterans Need Your Voice

Thousands of our nation's veterans were stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama to work, to train, to serve. Many of them are now discovering that Fort McClellan has come back to haunt them . . .

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jun 19 at 2015 5:05 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 17:05:05 -0400

It is outrageous that people have to fight so hard to have their illnesses caused by service at a particular base recognized. Of course, it comes down to the almighty $$$. In these days of Sequestration, where screwing the troops is De-riguer it's going to be next to impossible to get this legislation passed. Nonetheless, it is critical that organizations such as MOAA, VFW, DAV, etc, get involved in lobbying for this legislation.

We don't have unions and can't by law. It is only through the lobbying efforts of such organizations that we have any protections at all...

Response by Rick Wiseman made Jul 1 at 2015 12:53 AM

Rick Wiseman — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:53:56 -0400

I have been following this since Rep Tonko introduced and I have let all of my Ohio Congressional Members know about it. You can get ahead of things, I produced all the documentation of Ft. McClellan and have been included in the Exposure registry for Military Exposure. Best bet is to get an appointment with the Exposure people at the VA and get in the system now...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2017 5:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:56:25 -0500

I wonder if there will be any movement on 2622 now.....?

Response by SPC Charles Hornung made Jun 28 at 2017 1:58 PM

SPC Charles Hornung — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 13:58:27 -0400

I had basic and ait at ft McClellan in 1987. I had to have a pacemaker when I was 31. Have had a claim in since 2010. At BVA appeals now. I was just on facebook yesterday and talked to a former. Marine MP who also was at Ft. McCLellan. He also had to get a pacemaker. So even though the va already has the authority to care for vets, a bill or law can help.

Response by PV2 Alex Moebus made May 26 at 2018 10:02 PM

PV2 Alex Moebus — Sat, 26 May 2018 22:02:13 -0400

I graduated Basic in 1991 from Fort McClellan. Now i am starting to have severe health problems my Dr. is attributing to being at Fort McClellan. How can i vote for this proposal?