Bill proposes to make medical school illness research center

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Gulf War illness research could soon take on a much larger role at U-T Southwestern Medical Canter in Dallas.

The research hospital would be designated a Gulf War illness research center under legislation headed to President Bush for his signature.

The provision was sponsored by Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

It mandates the Veteran Affairs program spend 15 (M) million dollars a year for the next five years on Gulf War illness research.

U-T Southwestern is where Doctor Robert Haley has carried out numerous studies on Gulf War illness.

Doctor Haley's work includes the first studies to suggest that some veterans illnesses may be the result of brain damage due to exposure to sarin nerve gas and other toxic substances.

Hutchison helped get funding for some of Haley's research, which also received some private funding from Texas businessman Ross Perot.

Haley said Hutchison's legislation will help move forward the ongoing work at the hospital.