Senator Murray Continues Push to Expand Health Care Access for Toxic-Exposed Veterans

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Today, during a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee continued her longtime push to ensure the U.S. fulfills its promise to servicemembers and provides health care for veterans harmed by toxic exposures.

During the hearing, Senator Murray questioned Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough, asking for his input as the Committee works to pass legislation that expands access to health care for toxic-exposed veterans and pressing him on how VA would implement reforms by Congress effectively for Washington state veterans.

The hearing focused on the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021. The PACT Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation, which recognizes the federal government's responsibility in providing health care and disability compensation to veterans fighting the effects of toxic exposure connected to their military service.

"I know we're capable of tackling really big challenges as a committee and that includes making sure veterans harmed by toxic exposures in their service to our country get the care they deserve. I hope that this hearing brings us closer to resolving some of the open issues in order to pass the comprehensive legislation veterans in my state of Washington and across the country really expect of us," began Senator Murray. "As we continue to shape the legislation in front of us, what does VA still need to get this done?"

"We are continuing to push the VA to improve the user experience for veterans while receiving care and accessing their benefits. If Congress is able to pass comprehensive legislation to address toxic exposures, VA is going to have to have systems in place that are easy for veterans to navigate," continued Senator Murray. "How can we make processing service-connected disability claims less difficult for veterans who have experienced toxic exposures?"

Senator Murray's full exchange with Secretary McDonough can be viewed HERE.

The hearing follows part of a three-step approach by Senator Murray and the rest of the Veterans' Affairs Committee to expand access to health care for toxic-exposed veterans, establish a new process through which VA will determine future presumptive conditions, and provide overdue benefits to thousands of toxic-exposed veterans who have been long-ignored or forgotten.

Last month, Senator Murray helped to pass the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act, increasing access to VA health care for post-9/11 combat veterans, particularly those suffering from diseases caused by toxic exposures. Senator Murray helped introduce the bill earlier in February, and it passed the Senate unanimously.

Approximately 3.5 million Post-9/11 combat veterans may have experienced some level of exposure to burn pits during their service--many of whom are living with undiagnosed illnesses linked to military toxic exposures--and nearly one-third of those veterans are currently unable to access VA care.

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