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News in Brief

The Department of Veterans Affairs Continues to Deny Agent Orange Benefits

A federal court had ordered the VA to re-assess its policy denying Agent Orange benefits to Navy sailors who served in the Vietnam War. The VA's conclusion: They still don't qualify.

Charles Ornstein & Terry Parris Jr.

News in Brief

Blue Water Veterans Share Their Agent Orange Stories

U.S. Navy veterans describe their Vietnam tours, their Agent Orange concerns, and their fight for VA benefits.

Terry Parris Jr.

Social Justice

Blue Water Navy Veterans Are Still Fighting for Agent Orange Compensation

Though most didn’t step foot in Vietnam, some 90,000 Navy vets who served offshore may have been exposed to the chemical brew and seek benefits. The battle is playing out in the courts and in Congress. It boils down to a comma.

Charles Ornstein

News in Brief

Agent Orange Act Was Supposed to Help Vietnam Veterans—But Many Still Don’t Qualify

The 1991 law presumes veterans were exposed to the defoliant if they have certain diseases and “set foot” in Vietnam, but Navy vets and Air Force vets in Thailand say they were also exposed. Here’s our guide to groups seeking Agent Orange benefits.

Charles Ornstein

News in Brief

How America Overdosed on Drug Courts

Hailed as the most compassionate way for the criminal justice system to deal with addicts, drug courts were designed to balance punishment with rehabilitation. But after 25 years, the verdict is in: Drug courts embolden judges to practice medicine without a license—and they put lives in danger.

Maia Szalavitz

Social Justice

Quick Study: You Can Lead a Teen to Healthy Food, But…

Just because Subway offers healthier options than some of the other popular fast-food restaurants doesn't mean people take advantage of them.

Tom Jacobs