In a significant milestone for veterans and their families, President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday in New Hampshire that over 1 million claims related to toxic exposure have been granted under the PACT Act, which he signed into law in August 2022. Addressing a crowd at a YMCA in Nashua, Biden emphasized the nation’s commitment to its veterans, stating, “We can never fully thank you for all the sacrifices you’ve made. In America, we leave no veteran behind. That’s our motto.”
The PACT Act, standing for “Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics,” has facilitated the approval of approximately 888,000 veterans and survivors to receive disability benefits across all 50 states. This has translated into around $5.7 billion in benefits, profoundly affecting the lives of veterans and their loved ones.
Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, highlighted the transformative impact of the legislation. “The president, I think, has believed now for too long, too many veterans who got sick serving and fighting for our country had to fight the VA for their care, too,” McDonough remarked. The new law reverses the previous status quo, where the Department of Veterans Affairs denied 70% of disability claims associated with burn pit exposure.
The PACT Act’s importance is deeply personal to President Biden, whose son Beau Biden, an Iraq War veteran, succumbed to brain cancer in 2015. Beau Biden’s death, which the president attributes to exposure from military burn pits, has fueled Biden’s determination to secure the passage of this legislation.
Burn pits, which were used on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, disposed of hazardous materials such as chemicals, tires, plastics, medical equipment, and human waste. These pits exposed service members to toxic smoke, leading to severe health issues. Prior to the PACT Act, veterans faced the cumbersome challenge of proving that their ailments were directly linked to their service in order to obtain benefits.
Neera Tanden, White House Domestic Policy Advisor, underscored the significance of the Act, calling it “the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans, including veterans exposed to burn pits and certain veterans exposed to radiation and Agent Orange.” The law now presumes that certain respiratory illnesses and cancers are service-connected, easing the process for veterans to receive the care and benefits they deserve.
The bipartisan support for the PACT Act is a testament to the persistent advocacy of veterans, their families, and service organizations. Senator Jon Tester, D-Montana, chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, praised this collective effort, saying, “For far too long, our nation failed to honor its promises to our veterans exposed to toxins in military conflicts across the globe—until we fought like hell alongside veterans to finally get the PACT Act signed into law.”
The PACT Act also covers veterans exposed to other toxic substances, including the chemical herbicide Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War. President Biden met with Lisa Clark, an Air Force veteran benefiting from the Act due to her late husband’s exposure to Agent Orange. Such personal interactions underscore the Act’s immediate and tangible benefits.
Relevant articles:
– Over 1 million claims related to toxic exposure granted under new veterans law, Biden announces, apnews.com, 05/23/2024
– Biden to announce 1 million claims granted for VA benefits under toxic exposure law • Iowa Capital Dispatch, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 05/21/2024
– Biden announces more than 1 million claims related to toxic exposure granted under new veterans law, WAVE 3, 05/21/2024
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