“This is a significant piece of legislation, probably one of the most significant veterans’ benefits legislation that has passed in the last 20 years,” Peters said. “I certainly encourage veterans if they are dealing with health issues, they should reach out to the VA to see if they are eligible for benefits.”
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
Representatives from the Veterans Benefit Administration Cleveland Public Contact Team will also be on hand to update veterans on VA claims processes, backlogs and other initiatives, like the new valet parking services at the Cincinnati VA Hospital. Farmer said this portion of the session will allow veterans to go one-on-one with the VA and get answers about their individual issues.
The PACT Act is long overdue for many generations of veterans. As a Gulf War Veteran, I know many veterans were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. It didn’t start or end with us, and we know many more veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post 9/11 eras continue to suffer because of these toxic exposures.
"I’m proud that we’ve taken concrete steps in Congress to improve care for our veterans with the passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act and I am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to build on this progress," Kuster said.