Jon Stewart Advocates for K2 Veterans Amid Health Crisis
- Jon Stewart is advocating for the Biden administration to amend a significant veterans aid bill.
- The current legislation reportedly excludes veterans exposed to uranium, particularly those among the first responders after 9/11.
- Stewart's push emphasizes the urgency of supporting all affected veterans.
– Comedian Jon Stewart is urging the Biden administration to address a significant oversight in a veterans aid bill that excludes many U.S. troops who served at K2, a base contaminated with high levels of uranium following the September 11 attacks. Thousands of K2 veterans have reported serious health issues linked to radiation exposure, yet the legislation fails to provide them with necessary medical coverage. Experts, including nuclear fusion specialist Arjun Makhijani, have revealed alarming data indicating that soil at K2 contained uranium radiation levels up to 40,000 times higher than natural occurrences. Air samples taken from the area also showed contamination levels significantly exceeding normal standards. Despite these findings, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has not yet acted to support the affected veterans, who have been advocating for assistance for years. The PACT Act, while seen as a major advancement for veterans' health care, has not addressed the specific needs of K2 veterans. Former Army Staff Sgt. White, who served at the base, noted that none of his new medical issues have been recognized by the VA since the Act's passage. VA spokesman Hayes stated that the agency is conducting research to substantiate claims of radiation exposure but lacks comprehensive data on the health status of K2 veterans. Stewart emphasized the emotional toll on veterans, describing their struggle against a system that seems unresponsive to their plight. He called for immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure that those who served their country receive the care they deserve.