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Show Headed In The Right Direction It's a pleasant surprise to learn that some in Congress are doing the right thing. For decades, thousands of veterans and workers have suffered from asbestos exposure and have been unable to get compensation for their suffering. But now our own Senator Orrin Hatch is introducing legislation that will right the wrongs of the past. Many military veterans who served between the Second World War and Vietnam have suffered horribly from asbestos they were exposed to during their tour of duty. Diseases caused by asbestos like asbesto-sis asbesto-sis and mesothelioma can be debilitating and deadly. Adding insult to injury, they have had a terrible time working to obtain any compensation for their medical expenses and suffering. suf-fering. Both the courts and Veterans Administration have failed to come through. It's been widely reported that asbestos victims can't get adequate ade-quate compensation. The research group the Rand Institute found that victims only get about half of the awards they receive in the courts. The rest goes to lawyers and administration. administra-tion. Even worse, the delays in the courts are so long that many victims vic-tims actually die before they ever receive any compensation. But now, some in Congress are reaching across party lines and stepping up to the plate to solve the problem. Led by our Senator Hatch, a group of Senators have put together a plan that will make sure sick victims get the help they need when they need it. Essentially, they're building a trust fund that will give money to victims when they're sick. It's so simple, it's a wonder it's even being considered in Washington. Sick patients and their families fami-lies would submit medical records to the fund. If they are suffering from a disease caused by asbestos, they will receive ' compensation. The amount of compensation will depend on how sick they are. Obviously those who are suffering more are entitled to receive more help. There's no lawyers or middlemen. There's no waiting for years in court. There's no worry that the benefits awarded will be unfair. Another surprising piece of the plan: taxpayers won't have to foot the bill. Companies that are being sued for exposing people peo-ple to asbestos will contribute to the fund at a rate set by Congress. Faster payments for sick victims. vic-tims. No middlemen. And no added burden for the American taxpayer. That sounds like a good deal. That sounds like what veterans need. Of course, this battle is far from over. The proposal still has to get through Congress, and who knows what will happen when the lobbyists are done with it. But at least things are headed in the right direction. Daniel Crossley Past State Commander Utah Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Midvale |
