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mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 01:33 AM Apr 2013

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination..........

I received a letter from the Marine Corps Today. A new law was signed by President Obama back in August, the law is "Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012".

This law requires that the VA provide health care for veterans who served no less than 30 days at Camp Lejeune between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987 at Camp Lejeune for the following conditions:

Bladder Cancer, Breast Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Female infertility, Hepatic Steatosis, Kidney Cancer, Leukemia, Lung Cancer, Miscarriage, Multiple Myeloma, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Neurobehavioral Effects, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Renal Toxicity and Scleroderma.

Support for health care costs may also be provided for family members for these conditions once Congress appropriates funds and new regulations are published.

Veterans who are eligible for care under this Act, regardless of current enrollment with the VA, will not be charged a co-payment for health care related to the listed illnesses or conditions, nor will a third party insurance company be billed for these services.

My Dad served 2 1/2 years at Camp Lejeune (he's now deceased). My older brother and I lived there for these 2 1/2 years, my younger brothers lived there 1 1/2 years and 1/2 year. I was affected by female infertility & we keep an eye on my brother who had a breast fibroadenoma removed a few years ago. This is a brother who was conceived at Lejeune.

Any Vets you know, who may have one of these illnesses/conditions and who may have served at Camp Lejeune, let them know about this.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination.......... (Original Post) mrmpa Apr 2013 OP
this is a big deal KT2000 Apr 2013 #1
I'm sorry that you and your family were affected pinboy3niner Apr 2013 #2
I was stationed Dyedinthewoolliberal Apr 2013 #3
They sent me the letter............. mrmpa Apr 2013 #7
The key phrase: "once Congress appropriates funds"--bet they never do! emsimon33 Apr 2013 #4
I can't say I disagree with you............ mrmpa Apr 2013 #9
As part of funding OIF, they funded a program for Vietnam era vets with agent orange exposure HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #10
Camp Lejeune on the East coast was worse than Camp Pendleton on the West coast. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #5
One of my friends bathroommonkey76 Apr 2013 #6
I am so sorry about your friend................. mrmpa Apr 2013 #8
k&r... spanone Apr 2013 #11

KT2000

(20,544 posts)
1. this is a big deal
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 02:00 AM
Apr 2013

acknowledging toxic induced illness is next to impossible. To provide medical care is a miracle.

pinboy3niner

(53,339 posts)
2. I'm sorry that you and your family were affected
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 02:16 AM
Apr 2013

This has been a long fight, but one that at last has been resolved in a way that recognizes and cares for the victims.




Dyedinthewoolliberal

(15,485 posts)
3. I was stationed
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 02:28 AM
Apr 2013

at Montford Point, Camp Lejeune from November 1968 until June 1969. How did they know to send you a letter?

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
7. They sent me the letter.............
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 10:19 AM
Apr 2013

because a few years back, I saw a news article about this. It listed an address to register to get more info. I listed myself, my mom and my 3 brotehrs. About 1 1/2 ago we all receved a huge packet from the National Institue of Health asking assorted questions about our health.

Since we registered originally, we receive updates and info from the Marines.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
9. I can't say I disagree with you............
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 10:22 AM
Apr 2013

my only hope, is that Congress may one day address those dependents who also served at Camp Lejeune.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
10. As part of funding OIF, they funded a program for Vietnam era vets with agent orange exposure
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 10:30 AM
Apr 2013

It's possible that the program will be funded as part of the current national sense of responsibility toward 'heroes'.

Once the adulation of all things military dies down, I would be as suspect as you that funding won't be available.

 

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)
5. Camp Lejeune on the East coast was worse than Camp Pendleton on the West coast.
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 02:57 AM
Apr 2013

At Pendleton, in part,

"In December 1995, 14,000 cubic yards of soil containing trichloroethane (TCE) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) was removed from a former fire-fighting drill field. The TPH contaminated soil was treated through bioremediation and the TCE contaminated soil was removed and disposed of at an off-site landfill. In January 1997, approximately 12,000 cubic yards of soil containing organochlorine pesticides (maximum of 140 ppm DDT and 1280 ppm DDD) was removed from a former pesticide disposal area--Site 3. The soil was stabilized at an on-site treatment facility and disposed of at an on-site landfill. Thirty-two 55 gallon drums of material containing pesticide and medical waste were also removed and disposed of off-site. In January 1997, approximately 25,000 cubic yards of soil containing pesticides, metals, and PAHs was removed from Site 6 and stabilized at an on-site treatment facility and disposed of at an on-site landfill. In February 2007, Site 1111 was excavated to remove drums containing pesticides and solvents. Groundwater was removed from the excavation, treated on site and removed form the facility. The excavation was continued until all soils were clean. Four new monitoring wells were installed and will be monitored to assess if further groundwater remediation is necessary."

http://yosemite.epa.gov/r9/sfund/r9sfdocw.nsf/vwsoalphabetic/camp+pendleton+marine+corps+base?opendocument


 

bathroommonkey76

(3,827 posts)
6. One of my friends
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 04:30 AM
Apr 2013

had a tumor the size of a softball removed from her three years ago. She lived on base and blamed the contamination with her cancer. At the time she was working as a waitress and didn't have any medical coverage. Each doctor's visit to Wilmington's hospital was paid for out of her pocket and when she started treatments she was unable to work. Family tried their best to help her out, but the bills continued to mount. Right now she has hundreds of thousands in unpaid hospital bills.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
8. I am so sorry about your friend.................
Sun Apr 21, 2013, 10:21 AM
Apr 2013

though it may not help with past care and bills, you might suggest that she contact the VA and/or her US Senator for help with her health issues.

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