Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Attends White House Signing Ceremony of Honoring Our Pact Act

Statement

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53) was at the White House today for the official signing ceremony of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation she co-sponsored that represents the largest health care and benefits expansion in the Department of Veterans Affairs history. The Honoring our PACT Act would deliver care and benefits to more than five million veterans across the country who have been exposed to toxic substances during their service.

"For too long, we've failed to live up to the promises we've made to our service members and veterans, who have sacrificed so much for us," said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. "Millions have suffered from exposure to toxic substances and burn pits during their service and have struggled for decades to navigate the VA's red tape and receive the care and benefits they need. The Honoring our PACT Act will finally recognize service-related toxic exposure and deliver relief, health care, and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans. As the representative of the country's largest military community, I'm proud to help deliver these benefits to the San Diegans who need them most."

The Honoring our PACT Act will:

Provide Priority Group 6 health care for over 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans

Provide extension of combat eligibility for health care from 5 to 10 years with a one-year open enrollment period for those veterans who missed their window.

Streamline VA's review process for establishing toxic exposure presumptions

Concede exposure to airborne hazards/burn pits based on locations and dates of service

Require medical exams/opinions for certain veterans with toxic exposure disability claims

Add hypertension and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to the list of presumptions for Agent Orange exposure

Establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits/airborne hazards exposure

Create a presumption of exposure to radiation for veterans who participated in cleanup activities in Palomares, Spain, and Enewetak Atoll

Allow for a new tort claim for veterans and families exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune

Expand agent orange exposure to veterans who served in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia

Improve data collection between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense

Commission studies related to incidents of cancer among veterans, health trends of post-9/11 veterans, and the feasibility of providing health care to dependents of veterans

Require VA to provide standardized training to improve toxic exposure disability claims adjudications

Require VA to conduct outreach and provide resources to toxic exposed veterans

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