Bill Text: OR HB2891 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

Oregon House Bill 2891 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to Korean Vietnam War veterans; declaring an emergency.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Failed) 2013-07-08 - In committee upon adjournment. [HB2891 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2013-HB2891-Introduced.html



     77th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2013 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 3534

                         House Bill 2891

Sponsored by Representative PARRISH; Representatives BAILEY,
  BENTZ, CLEM, CONGER, DAVIS, DOHERTY, GARRETT, JOHNSON,
  KENY-GUYER, MATTHEWS, MCKEOWN, MCLANE, REARDON, WEIDNER,
  WHISNANT, Senator OLSEN

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Directs Department of Veterans' Affairs and county veterans'
service officers to provide aid and assistance to Korean Vietnam
War veteran to obtain health care coverage and services and, upon
determination that veteran is not eligible for health care
coverage and services under federal and state laws, to implement
program to provide such coverage and services.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Korean Vietnam War veterans; and declaring an
  emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that:
  (a) Korean soldiers were sent to the Vietnam War to support
American soldiers at the request of the United States and served
in Vietnam from 1964 until 1973;
  (b) Many of these Korean Vietnam War veterans are now United
States citizens and residents of Oregon;
  (c) Many of these Korean Vietnam War veterans suffered
significant injuries and continue to experience health conditions
related to their service in the Vietnam War, including but not
limited to post-traumatic stress disorder, total disability and
the effects of Agent Orange; and
  (d) Approximately 45 Korean Vietnam War veterans who are
currently residents of Oregon have been unjustly denied federal
benefits, including health care coverage and services, and are
not receiving the health care coverage and services that are
available to other Vietnam War veterans under federal and state
laws.
  (2) For purposes of this section, 'Korean Vietnam War veteran'
means an individual who:
  (a) Was a Korean citizen who served in the Vietnam War at the
request of the United States;
  (b) Is currently a United States citizen;
  (c) Is currently a resident of Oregon;
  (d) Can satisfactorily document the individual's service in the
Vietnam War; and

  (e) Has been denied entitlement to health care coverage and
services under federal and state laws.
  (3)(a) The Department of Veterans' Affairs and county veterans'
service officers appointed under ORS 408.410 shall give aid and
assistance to a Korean Vietnam War veteran, the spouse or
dependents of the veteran or the survivors of the veteran, in
applying for all benefits and aid related to health care coverage
and services to which they are entitled by federal and state
laws, rules and regulations.
  (b) If the department and county veterans' service officers
determine that a Korean Vietnam War veteran is not entitled to
health care coverage and services that have been appropriately
applied for, the department and county veterans' service officers
shall work, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, to
establish a program of health care coverage and provision of
health care services to the veteran.
  (4) The responsibilities and duties of the department and
county veterans' service officers under subsection (3) of this
section terminate upon a determination that the Korean Vietnam
War veteran has become eligible for and is receiving health care
coverage and services under other federal and state laws, rules
and regulations. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + This 2013 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2013 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
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