TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. -- After 10News revealed a possible
treatment for veterans exposed to burn pits, there's finally some action for
tens of thousands of suffering vets.
Burn pit exposure is an epidemic with many consequences that
veterans deal with years after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Following a story in January, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis
(R - New Port Richey) drafted legislation to help get veterans the health care
and coverage they need right away.
Joe Hernandez was exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and
Afghanistan when the military burned waste like chemicals, ammunition, oil and
other items they had to get rid of.
Years after coming home, Hernandez noticed he was feeling
weak.
"If I can't breathe or I don't feel well because I
can't breathe, then what was the point of coming back alive," he said.
Hernandez is among thousands of veterans who have signed the
VA's burn pit registry.
"I mean some of the stories are so very sad," he
said. "These are our heroes we're talking about. They need health care
immediately and they need to get their disability payments approved
immediately."
Bilirakis drafted legislation that would give veterans
presumptive status, making them eligible for health care and coverage right
away.
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