Ben Owen

Dear RAC, ACMO, Sec of VA, and others This is my statement for the record on April 23rd, 24th 2024 for the pending RAC meeting in Phoenix Arizona. Only I have a problem here, a stalemate Im very tired of. So rather than beat off others for a few minutes of public comments at the end, Ide rather do this in prep to it. I keep submitting very similar materials over and over these last 2 years. It evident from everyone concerned you all plan to ignore it. Even with the DODSR presentation in Sept 2023 which is part of this. One. The RAC should be providing government reports to congress every year as outlined in PL 105-368. That didnt change, and Im certain FACA didnt change the law. Two. I pointed out the loopholes in the PACT act and the zero ratings influx that would follow by the end of 2023. I was right. Everyone ignored this and me. Three. Toxic exposures? Without a plan to take tissue samples to prove or disspell this then your ignoring medical science. You wont find anything with questionaries. Four. Ignoring Jim Binns in Phoenix is a insult to him and the RAC itself. He is right down the street and a formal invitation would not have killed you. Are you doing so damn well right now you dont need input? Even his? I beg to differ. Five. Ive included the FACA / ACMO in this email because I think the whole advisory committee system has lost its way. All have lost objectivity here or oversight. My Federal register debate was purely academic. Six. The DODSR is not sincere about its tissue vault, I put them to the test. Its a closed door to genomic research from a veteran stand point. I cant find any doctors willing to contact the DODSR to make this request. Even if I pay for the sequencing myself Seven. the Sec of VA is NOT sincere about acting on any RAC recommendations much less any dialogue with Gulf war vets. Ive proven that. So the part of PL 105-368 is no longer valid if the sec of VA has no intention of acting on 22 years of recommendations. All 8 of them. There is much more, I will narrow to this part. As this stalemate with VA and its executive staff needs to change. These RAC meetings are formality at best. Waste of tax payer money at worst. Its stagnant and created a bottleneck dragging out. We dont even have public statitsical reports that the GWVIS used to provide us. Nothing since 2012. My proposals are simple ones, they deserve a official response. Yes or no. So I can walk back over to the Senate VA committee and hand them something. Ive done enough prep work this week, the chairman is aware of what is happening. Good, bad, or indifferent - Ide like this to go somewhere. Anywhere. Stagnant isnt a option. Thank you for your time and patience. Sincerely Kirt P. Love Director, DSBR Former member VA ACGWV