WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the publication of final regulations that will implement the “Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012,” the landmark law authored by Senator Richard Burr that ensures health care for Camp Lejeune contamination victims. Two publications are being released -- one to address the care of veterans affected by the contaminated water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and the second to reimburse the expenses related to the care of family members who were also affected.

Since the passage of this law, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) has been actively fighting to make sure the law's promise to Camp Lejeune veterans and their families are fulfilled, and he has called for multiple environmental investigations.  After the President signed into law the “Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012,” veterans immediately began receiving care for the various ailments and diseases associated with the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but it has taken significantly longer for VA to establish a reimbursement policy for medical care provided to military families who once lived on the base and were also exposed to the toxins in the base water supply.  Senator Richard Burr had the following to say about today’s announcement:

“I am pleased at the progress announced today – it has been a long time coming.  Unfortunately, many who were exposed to the contaminated water have already died as a result of their exposures and will not be able to receive the help this law provides.  I fully expect VA will now move swiftly to implement all the regulations and extend a helping hand to the victims of this tragic episode in our nation’s history,” said Senator Richard Burr.

An estimated 750,000 people may have been exposed to probable and known human carcinogens in the base’s water supply between the 1950s and 1980s.  To date, this is the largest recorded environmental incident on a domestic Department of Defense installation.