MOAA and other veterans service organizations are turning up the pressure on federal lawmakers to approve a defense spending bill that expands the VA’s list of conditions presumptive to Agent Orange exposure.

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Cover These Conditions Via the NDAA]

That change would make veterans suffering from bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms eligible for VA benefits, just like those suffering from 14 other “presumptives” already covered by the VA. Negotiations on the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are expected to wrap up by the end of the year. 

“With this NDAA, we have an incredible opportunity to make things right by covering three associated diseases that are impacting 80,000 veterans who have suffered for over five decades,” said Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), president and CEO of MOAA, during a virtual press event Aug. 20. “Veterans suffering now cannot wait on further studies like the VA proposed, nor should they need to. Bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism met the scientific standard years ago; now, we must get them added to the list of Agent Orange illnesses. Delaying any longer will deny veterans the care and benefits they deserve.”

An estimated 900,000 veterans have been exposed to Agent Orange, which is connected to a variety of cancers and other long-term illnesses.

Critics have said more scientific studies are necessary before adding the three diseases to the presumptive exposure list. However, MOAA and other veterans groups have noted the cost to provide benefits is likely the reason for the delay.

[RELATED: More Advocacy News From MOAA]

Atkins spoke alongside leaders from the Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America during the virtual press event with Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.). Harder sponsored legislation to add the above conditions to the presumptives list, as well as hypertension; a version of the legislation became a proposed House NDAA amendment, but was not included in the chamber’s final NDAA draft.

However, similar language in a Senate amendment put forward by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – based on a bill in his chamber that had 38 cosponsors – did make the Senate NDAA draft. That means it’s eligible for inclusion in the final bill, depending on the actions of a House-Senate conference committee.

“We’re talking about an issue that has been a crisis for over 50 years,” Harder said. “We need to make a final push both inside and outside of Washington to make sure this legislation is included in the final version of the (NDAA), which will be signed into law.”

In July, MOAA was among 30 veterans service organizations who sent a letter to House leadership pushing for NDAA language adding the conditions to the presumptive list.

Significant progress was made for Vietnam veterans last year when President Donald Trump signed the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act. That bill expands coverage of Agent Orange-related health conditions to Navy veterans who served in the waters off Vietnam.

[RELATED: VA Grants $583.8 Million in Retroactive Payments for Blue Water Navy Claims]

Decades after their service, Vietnam veterans continue to endure health issues stemming from exposure to the herbicide. MOAA has long supported legislation that would aid Vietnam veterans.

“We must ensure we are taking care of our veterans, because it’s the right thing to do, because the science supports it, and because our nation made a promise to them that we would care for them,” Atkins said. “MOAA is 100% behind this effort to secure these long overdue benefits.”