U.S. to give some 'Havana syndrome' victims six-figure compensation

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

The Biden administration plans to pay some diplomats and intelligence officers roughly $100,000 to $200,000 each to compensate for the mysterious health problems known as Havana Syndrome, according to congressional aides and a former official familiar with the matter. The payment scheme is the culmination of a multiyear push by Congress, which passed a law last fall mandating that the State Department and CIA compensate current and former officials suffering from what the government calls Anomalous Health Incidents, or AHIs. Despite six years of investigations, the United States still lacks certainty about what is causing the symptoms, which include headaches, vision problems, dizziness and brain fog, among other ailments.

The health problems were first reported among U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers serving in Cuba’s capital but have since been reported on every continent except Antarctica. The six-figure payments will go to those determined to have suffered the most significant setbacks, such as job loss or career derailment, said people briefed on the plan who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity because the scheme has not been approved for release. U.S. officials cautioned that the range of compensation is not yet final and could change as the State Department’s regulation goes through the final stages of a review process, which is coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget.

The CIA determined this winter that a foreign country is probably not behind a “worldwide campaign harming U.S. personnel with a weapon or mechanism" — an assessment that raised doubts about years of speculation that the health issues were the result of a mysterious directed energy weapon wielded by Russian or Chinese agents. Government investigators have reviewed more than 1,000 cases, with the majority being attributed to a preexisting medical condition or environmental or other factors. Dozens of other reported cases remain unexplained.

As word of the compensation packages has trickled out to the federal workforce, some officials have remarked that the packages were generous while others have said the compensation range seems insufficient given the loss of future and past income for those who suffered severe neurological damage and can no longer work. The Biden administration has not yet released the criteria for how it will determine eligibility for compensation but it is expected to be made public shortly. Current and former officials as well as their family members will be eligible to make claims, said those briefed on the plan. Under the Havana Act, Congress gave the secretary of state and CIA director the authority to determine eligibility, which has already caused concerns about whether diplomats and intelligence officers will be treated the same.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/23/united-states-havana-syndrome-payments/

[Gymbo]

1. Did Biden forget about veterans?

I can understand the government concern for Havana syndrome victims, but to hand out $200,000 when the government can't even substantiate the allegation that Havana syndrome even exists, is an insult to all veterans who have to settle for minuscule payments in comparison, for proven ailments.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Remember, the U.S. is not a dictatorship

where the head can willy nilly just "hand out money".

Instead, Congress passed a law ordering that he do so.

From the OP -

Under the Havana Act, Congress gave the secretary of state and CIA director the authority to determine eligibility, which has already caused concerns about whether diplomats and intelligence officers will be treated the same.

S.1828 - HAVANA Act of 2021

[mopinko]

3. he just expanded eligibility to vets who served near burn pits.

[Gymbo]

4. Actually

Biden and Congress has done quite a bit for veterans.What destroys that effort is how the claims are settled without a basis in fairness, and how diplomats and intelligence officers are given large paydays while veterans get very little for disabilities earned in service. Veterans can file a claim for burn pit damage, but it can take months, even years for adjudication. The fairness of the process becomes central when people who rank higher get aid and help faster than the average soldier, and are not required to prove their injuries.

[mopinko]

5. well, even before that a former du'ed named cliffordu

2018, iirc. he was dx'd w als. he was living in his rv in a friend's driveway.
it took about 2-3 most to get the paperwork through, and he was checked in at the portland va hospital and given full benefits. they got him out and into assisted housing for a while, but it didnt work out well. died there in peace, his new wife at his side, like every other day.

he was a grunt in nam, and had to prove exactly nothing.
i assume these new rules work the same way. you have the listed dx, you get the care.
fuck us all if it doesnt work that way everywhere.
i'm guessin by 24, it will be pretty well fixed.

[maxsolomon]

6. I thought it didn't exist?

The CIA determined this winter that a foreign country is probably not behind a “worldwide campaign harming U.S. personnel with a weapon or mechanism" — an assessment that raised doubts about years of speculation that the health issues were the result of a mysterious directed energy weapon wielded by Russian or Chinese agents.

Why are my tax dollars funding payouts for something that doesn't exist?

[womanofthehills]

7. There was a point when pesticide poisoning was also a possibility

As many tropical countries might over spray pesticides in hotels. Sometimes the problem is that someone grabs the wrong bottle - something more toxic - like spraying a pesticide meant for only outdoor use -indoors. . Neurological symptoms are also a sign of pesticide poisoning.

Sounds like people are definitely sick - so they are being compensated. I don’t know why some sick vets get a lot more compensation than others. A friends ex boyfriend gets $6000 a month while others get much much smaller amounts. .