On August 10, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act designed to expand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and health care for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. The Honoring Our PACT Act also includes claims made by veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Introduced in 2021, the bill gained support on both sides of the aisle. According to the White House, the PACT Act will:
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- Ensure veterans can receive high-quality health care screenings and services related to potential toxic exposures through expanded access to VA health care services for veterans exposed during their military service.
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- Codify the VA’s new process for evaluating and determining presumption of exposure and service connection for various chronic conditions when the evidence of a military environmental exposure and the associated health risks are strong in the aggregate but hard to prove on an individual basis.
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- Remove the need for certain veterans and their survivors to prove service connection if they are diagnosed with one of 23 specific conditions.
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- Require the VA to conduct new studies of veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War and analyses of post-9/11 veterans’ health trends.
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- Ensure veterans get the care they need includes ensuring that they are screened for toxic exposure and that VA personnel have the appropriate education and training.
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- Deliver critical resources to VA to ensure it can deliver timely access to services and benefits for all veterans eligible – including those already enrolled.
Read more about Camp Lejeune below:
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
