“As Commander in Chief of the Kansas National Guard, I am grateful to Senator Moran and Representative Davids for leading the push to pass the PACT Act and deliver care for the troops who have done so much to protect us,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I encourage every Kansas veteran impacted by this new law to contact the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office and get the care they deserve.”
The veterans administration will now accept all eligible candidates without requiring a “burden of proof” indicating they had suffered from exposure. Many veterans have been refused medical coverage, letters of denial stating they could not prove their health issues were linked to toxic exposure during their service.
"In January 2022, Earthjustice and the Guam community group, Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian, filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force for its intent to continue to utilize open burn and open detonation practices at Tarague Beach on Andersen Air Force Base," the release added.
Expanded health care benefits are coming soon for more than 150,000 Minnesota veterans -- and a Mankato man played key role in scoring this big win.
The legislation expands Department of Veterans Affairs medical eligibility for ailments potentially related to exposure to smoke from massive burn pits in Afghanistan, Iraq and bases in the Middle East. The veterans could qualify from a long list of potential ailments five or 10 years after discharge. It also creates a one-year enrollment period for post 9/11 vets who did not enroll during their first five years after discharge.