Korean American veterans who served in the Republic of Korea and later became naturalized U.S. citizens will soon get access to healthcare benefits.
According to a press release from the White House, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 366, the “Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act” or the “Korean American VALOR Act,” on Monday, November 13.
The law would provide 3,000 Korean American veterans with healthcare benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs.
H.R. 366 was a bipartisan effort, sponsored by lawmakers like Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA).
“I am glad President Biden has signed our legislation into law, to help ensure our veterans have access to the quality VA healthcare they need and deserve,” Sen. Hirono said in a statement.
Rep. Kim, a Korean immigrant herself, highlighted the partnership between U.S. and Korean soldiers during the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
“Korean soldiers fought alongside American troops for freedom in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, sharing the same physical and mental wounds from these conflicts, and many of these troops eventually immigrated to the U.S. and became citizens. These Korean American veterans who gave blood, sweat, and tears for our freedoms currently cannot receive veterans’ health care benefits,” Rep. Kim said in a statement. “I am thrilled the Korean VALOR Act is now law to allow Korean American veterans to access the benefits they have duly earned.”
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This holiday season, double your impact by making a tax-deductible donation to Asian American Media Inc and AsAmNews. Thanks to an additional benefactor, all donations will now be matched up to a total of $12,000.
Please also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X.
