The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on March 5 that millions more veterans will now have access to the VA health care system, thanks to a directive from President Joe Biden. Originally, the benefits were set to become available in stages, concluding in 2032, but Biden has expedited the timeline.
In 2022, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, known as the PACT Act, was passed by Congress and signed into law by Biden in August.
This legislation primarily extends health care benefits to military veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. This includes veterans from the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Afghanistan War, Iraq War, and other operations combating terrorism post-9/11.
A 2015 report by the VA estimated that 3.5 million veterans might have been exposed to toxins through burn pits used in Afghanistan and Iraq. Veterans from the Vietnam War were often exposed to Agent Orange, a herbicide prevalent during the conflict. Initially, the law’s rollout was to be gradual, with eligibility expanding annually between 2022 and 2032. However, Biden announced on Veterans Day in November 2023 that all affected veterans would be eligible for benefits by March 2024, as per his directive to the VA.
The VA has launched its largest outreach campaign to date, urging veterans to enroll. Since the PACT Act’s inception, the VA has organized 2,500 events nationwide, dispatched over 400 million emails and letters, and invested $13 million in advertising.
The PACT Act garnered bipartisan support and was passed unanimously in the Senate. In the House, it passed with a vote of 342-88.
Among those opposing the bill were Michigan Republicans Reps. Bill Huizenga and Lisa McClain. In response, Lavora Barnes, Michigan Democratic Party Chair, expressed gratitude for the Democrats’ support and criticized the two Republicans for their stance. “While I’m grateful to the Michigan Democrats who voted to help those exposed to toxic substances in the line of duty, I’m appalled that Republicans Bill Huizenga and Lisa McClain voted against providing lifesaving care to those who put their lives on the line for our country,” Barnes said in an August 2022 statement.
Public support for the legislation is overwhelmingly positive. A poll conducted by Data for Progress between June 15-21, 2022, surveyed 1,455 likely voters and found that 93% supported the PACT Act. The backing was strong across political affiliations, with 91% of Republicans, 92% of independents, and 94% of Democrats in favor.
This story was originally published by the Michigan Independent.
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