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August 21, 2022 (Cover photo credit: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs FB)
On August 10, Joe Biden signed the PACT Act, expanding health care and benefits for veterans exposed to carcinogens and other toxic substances. The VA describes the Act at va.gov:
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.
The PACT Act will bring these changes:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
The PACT Act also includes certain benefits for a veteran’s surviving family member, including:
- Burials and Burial Allowance
- Education and Training
- Final Monthly Payment of benefits to surviving relative
- Home Loan Guaranty
- Health Care Benefits
