    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [December 20, 1993]
    [Pages 2193-2194]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Care Legislation
    December 20, 1993

        I am deeply concerned about the reports of health problems
    afflicting a number of our Persian Gulf veterans. The legislation I am
    signing today, H.R. 2535, addresses those problems by authorizing the
    Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat them for any disease that
    may have resulted from their exposure to toxic substances or
    environmental hazards in the Gulf.
        Since our troops returned home over 2 years ago, we have heard from
    many who are experiencing serious health problems for which modern
    medicine is having difficulty establishing a cause or a diagnosis.
        With parades and a national outpouring of gratitude, we showed those
    brave men and women our appreciation for the sacrifices they made for
    all of us. Now we must stand by those who are suffering.
        The symptoms these veterans experience have included, among other
    things, fatigue, painful muscles and joints, bleeding gums, skin rashes,
    short-term memory loss, and hair loss. With this legislation, the VA
    will have the authority to provide to these veterans both inpatient and
    outpatient care on a priority basis. Thus, we can help make certain that
    these veterans' health care needs are met as fully as possible while
    important research into their problems goes forward.
        This legislation also provides for reimbursement to these veterans
    for any copayments they may have made to the VA for care that might have
    been necessary because of their exposures in the Persian Gulf.
        In addition, this legislation extends the VAs authority to:
        furnish Vietnam veterans with care that may be related to
                their exposure to agent

    [[Page 2194]]

                orange;
        furnish veterans who participated in nuclear weapons tests
                or in the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki with care that
                may be related to their exposure to ionizing radiation;
        provide women veterans with sexual trauma counseling; and,
        maintain its regional office in the Philippines.
        Over 650,000 service men and women from United States forces
    valiantly forced Sadam Hussein's armies from Kuwait, and earned the
    respect and admiration of people around the globe. They also earned our
    Nation's undying gratitude and support.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    December 20, 1993.

    Note: H.R. 2535, approved December 20, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
    210.