Pappas Applauds Signing of Honoring Our PACT Act, Expanding Health Care to 3.5 Million Toxic Exposed Veterans

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HVAC), issued the following statement after President Biden signed the Honoring Our PACT Act, comprehensive legislation to finally address toxic exposure as a cost of war, into law. The bill includes Pappas's VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act, which would expand the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce by enhancing VA hiring practices and incentives to better recruit and retain health care professionals, and strengthen veteran access to quality VA health care.

"It's well past time that we take action to get our veterans the care and support they need and have earned. This legislation will provide meaningful support for millions of veterans across the country who live with the effects of toxic exposures to this day, including veterans from the First District who were denied benefits by VA even after being exposed to dangerous toxins during their service," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "To ensure they can all access the care they have earned we must also invest in VA's workforce and strengthen VA's ability to recruit and retain highly-skilled staff, and I'm glad my legislation to make these improvements was included in the final text that was signed into law today. Our commitment to our veterans and service members must never waver, and the enactment of this legislation will honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country."

Veterans Service Organizations praised the provision Pappas led to improve VA's workforce:

"The SFC Heath Robinson PACT Act is the largest expansion of veterans' benefits in decades. This legislation will ensure veterans exposed to toxic substances in service will receive the care and benefits they deserve without delay. One of the key provisions in this bill is the VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act which will provide much needed resources for the men and women who receive care at VA. The VFW is grateful for the support of Congressman Pappas in ensuring this provision passes the House and we look forward to it becoming law quickly," said Pat Murray, Legislative Director of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"The Sergeant First Class Heath Robison Honoring Our PACT Act will finally provide access to health care and benefits for millions of veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during their service. A key enabler to making this new law successful will be Rep. Pappas's VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act, which makes critical investments in VA's workforce and facilities. Wounded Warrior Project thanks Rep. Pappas for his dedication and leadership on this important issue," said Jose Ramos, President for Government and Community Relations at the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

"PVA applauds the passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 which changes the way Congress and VA approaches military-related exposures. In addition to providing veterans health care and benefits for medical conditions stemming from exposure to toxic substances during military service, it includes provisions authored by Representative Pappas expanding the VA workforce to ensure enough providers are on hand to provide these veterans the care they need," said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relation at Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

"DAV applauds the House passage of the Honoring Our PACT Act, the most comprehensive toxic exposure legislation ever considered by Congress. Once signed into law, this historic legislation will make it easier for millions of veterans from all eras who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other toxic substances, to access the health care and benefits they have earned from their service. Thanks to provisions which were introduced by Rep. Pappas, this legislation will also enhance VA hiring practices and strengthen veteran access to quality VA health care. On behalf of our more than 1 million members, we thank Rep. Pappas for his steadfast leadership and commitment to keeping our promises to the men and women who served, particularly those made ill or injured as a result of their service," said Andy Marshall, National Commander of Disable American Veterans (DAV).

Background:

Congressman Pappas is an original cosponsor of the Honoring our PACT Act, and helped shape the package as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The Honoring our PACT Act is a comprehensive legislative package that will open up health care to over 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service and finally recognize exposure to burn pits and airborne hazards. It will create presumptions for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers, shifting the burden of proof off our veterans. This means that if a veteran served in a particular theater at a particular time, they will be presumed to be exposed to toxic substances and therefore potentially eligible for health care and benefits. Critically, this bipartisan legislation will also streamline VA's presumption decision-making process, so that Congress does not have to keep intervening, and our veterans don't have to wait decades for help.

The Honoring Our PACT Act has the support of eleven Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), The American Legion (TAL), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Minority Veterans of America (MVA), and Burn Pits 360.

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