PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 10, 2018
Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act
This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands anytime from 1977 through 1980 as radiation exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers. These veterans thereby become eligible for the same health care and other benefits given to service members who were involved in active nuclear tests.
Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
People & committees
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] · D–MN
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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