[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 44 (Monday, November 7, 1994)]
[Pages 2250-2251]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing Veterans Benefits Legislation

November 2, 1994

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5244, the ``Veterans' 
Benefits Improvements Act of 1994'' and H.R. 3313, the ``Veterans Health 
Programs Extension Act of 1994.'' These bills address important areas of 
concern for our Nation's veterans.
    The primary purpose of H.R. 5244, the ``Veterans' Benefits 
Improvements Act of 1994,'' is to authorize compensation to Persian Gulf 
War veterans suffering from disabilities resulting from undiagnosed 
illnesses possibly incurred during service in the Persian Gulf theater 
of operations.
    Some of our Persian Gulf War veterans are suffering from illnesses 
that cannot be diagnosed based upon current available scientific and 
medical data. The lack of a diagnosis at this point, however, should not 
stop us from providing an expeditious and compassionate response to 
these veterans' needs. Our Nation is keenly aware of its responsibility 
to the brave men and women who so capably served our country during the 
Persian Gulf conflict. This legislation is designed to address their 
needs.
    The Act authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to compensate 
Persian Gulf War veterans who suffer chronic disabilities from 
undiagnosed illnesses that became manifest during or within a specified 
time after their service in the Gulf region. It also requires the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a uniform and 
comprehensive medical evaluation protocol for veterans of the Persian 
Gulf conflict suffering from unexplained illnesses. I am pleased to say 
that this protocol has already been established. VA medical centers and 
facilities are currently providing appropriate medical assessment, 
diagnoses, and treatment to Persian Gulf War veterans.
    This Act will help to further our investigation into the adverse 
health consequences that may be associated with service in the Persian 
Gulf, including potential risks to the family members of our veterans, 
by requiring the VA to evaluate the health status of spouses and 
children of Persian Gulf War veterans. It also requires the VA to 
implement an outreach program for Persian Gulf War veterans, including a 
newsletter and a toll-free telephone number to provide information 
concerning available benefits.
    The ``Veterans Health Programs Extension Act of 1994,'' H.R. 3313, 
will extend the VA's authority to operate a number of veterans programs 
and activities. Significantly, this Act will extend the VA's authority 
to provide Persian Gulf War veterans with hospital, nursing home, and 
outpatient medical care for disabilities possibly incurred from exposure 
to toxic substances or environmental hazards during service in the 
Persian Gulf. It also

[[Page 2251]]

extends the VA's authority to provide Vietnam veterans with hospital and 
nursing home care for disabilities, which may have resulted from 
exposure to dioxin. The Act also extends the VA's authority to provide 
priority health care services for disabilities possibly related to 
exposure to ionizing radiation during nuclear testing or during certain 
service in Japan following World War II. Finally, the Act also 
authorizes appropriations of $379.4 million for major medical facility 
construction and repair projects and 15.8 million for major medical 
facility leases for the VA.
    Because of the important benefits that this legislation will provide 
to our Nation's veterans and their families, I am very gratified to sign 
these two bills into law.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
November 2, 1994.

Note: H.R. 5244, approved November 2, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
446, and H.R. 3313, approved November 2, was assigned Public Law No. 
103-452.