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Linn County Veterans Services Officer Dee Baley-Hyder is excited about the opportunities a new federal program that will assist veterans negatively affected by Agent Orange and chemicals released from large fire pits during the Gulf War.

"This is huge for us and huge for veterans," she said in describing the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, passed by Congress in August. Baley-Hyder told county commissioners earlier in the fall that the program is "largest health care and benefit expansion in Veteran Administration history."

The program, which goes into effect in January 2023, wi...