Marathon to pass the PACT Act ends as Senate passes bill to support Vets affected by Burn Pits & Toxins

2022-08-03T20:57:04-04:00

Legislation to expand health care and other benefits to potentially 5 million Veterans exposed to toxic airborne chemicals during service cleared the Senate on Aug. 2 and headed to President Joe Biden for signature.

The final vote on the so-called PACT Act, which Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-New York, said is the “largest expansion of Veterans’ health care benefits in decades,” was 86-to-11, a victory secured in part due to an intense, Veteran-led pressure campaign, which included demonstrations on Capitol Hill.

“No more — no more — will Veterans go to VA hospitals and be told, ‘Get a lawyer, go find some arcane, ridiculous proof before we’ll give you help,’” Schumer said during a celebratory news conference after the vote, in reference to some Veterans’ experience of seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Now they’ll get the help.”

An earlier version of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 — fully named the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 — passed the Senate on June 16 by a vote of 84-14. In early July, the House approved a similar but slightly amended bill, which became S. 3373.

By late July, more than 40 Veterans service organizations (VSOs) had endorsed the measure, and its passage seemed assured.

But when the amended House measure came back to the Senate for technical fixes and final approval, 30 Republicans lawmakers changed their vote, scuttling the legislation.

The resulting political firestorm on Capitol Hill received national media coverage, boosted by demonstrating Veterans, who camped out on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, and the vocal public shaming of senators by former “The Daily Show” host and Veteran-activist Jon Stewart. Senators held news conferences to curse out their vote-changing colleagues. VSOs urged members to lobby the vote switchers. Statements from organizations and lawmakers’ offices bearing the hashtag #PassThePACTAct poured onto social media platforms.

The pressure worked on 37 Republican senators, who joined 49 Democratic senators in pushing the bill across the finish line. Media reports said that Stewart, Veterans and their family members became emotional as they watched the momentous vote from the Senate chamber.

“Veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes while fighting for our country are American heroes, and they deserve world-class care and benefits for their selfless service,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement on Aug. 2.

Millions of Veterans impacted

According to a fact sheet issued by the White House, the legislation has the potential to impact millions of Veterans — and families and caregivers — who served during multiple eras.

“Named in honor of Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, a decorated combat medic who died from a rare form of lung cancer, this historic legislation will help deliver more timely benefits and services to more than 5 million Veterans — across all generations — who may have been impacted by toxic exposures while serving our country,” the White House said.

Among other things, the PACT Act directs VA to assume that Veterans with 23 respiratory and other illnesses — including hypertension — were harmed during service, making them eligible for VA compensation, health care and other benefits.

The measure requires VA to collect data and conduct research on service members’ exposures in combat to dangerous airborne chemicals. According to a House report on the bill, these incidents occurred during Vietnam, when many troops inhaled the toxic defoliant known as Agent Orange; during the Persian Gulf war, when service members ingested smoke from burning oil wells; and in the post-9/11 era, when soldiers breathed chemicals from open-air pits of burning waste.

According to self-reports from some of the 230,000 Veterans who have joined VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, health impacts include breathing issues, birth defects, cancer, infertility and random chronic symptoms, the report said.

The legislation makes it easier for a broader group of Veterans to prove they earned a VA service-connected disability rating, a prerequisite needed to obtain most benefits.

In addition, the act doubles, from five to 10 years, the time post-9/11 combat Veterans have to enroll in VA health care, the fact sheet said, and creates a one-year open-enrollment period for Veterans who fall outside that window.

“These expansions mean that more Veterans can enroll in VA health care without having to demonstrate a service-connected disability,” the White House said.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the legislation provides a mandatory appropriation and other direct spending to fund the projected expansion in benefits, the cost of which CBO estimated in June could be $278.5 billion over 10 years.

Learn more

Review the White House fact sheet on the PACT Act: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/08/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-issues-executive-order-at-the-first-meeting-of-the-task-force-on-reproductive-healthcare-access

View VA’s “The PACT Act and your VA benefits” page: https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits

FACT SHEET: PACT Act Delivers on President Biden’s Promise to America’s Veterans | The White...

Today, Congress answered President Biden’s call to strengthen health care and benefits for America’s veterans and their survivors by passing the

Response by SSG Gordon Holmes made Aug 3 at 2022 9:06 PM

2022-08-03T21:06:00-04:00

The only problem is they took Panama out of the list of areas for Agent Orange.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2022 9:31 PM

2022-08-03T21:31:34-04:00

Thanks Jon Stewart.

Response by PFC Leonard Baldassano made Aug 6 at 2022 1:25 PM

2022-08-06T13:25:16-04:00

new it would pass just had to tweak it some. if it was a bill by self to start with it would of passed. but they always add crap on the side they no cant get pass . shame but that's how most bill are.

Response by CPL Dante Kimble made Aug 8 at 2022 6:57 PM

2022-08-08T18:57:21-04:00

The Claims Office WILL MOST likely give some SHIT about putting your claim in (with proof) that if your 100% DON'T put a claim in!!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 8 at 2022 8:35 PM

2022-08-08T20:35:07-04:00

This is long overdue'- just think of how long it took for the VA to conceded by making Prostate Cancer presumptive for those who served in Vietmam.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 9 at 2022 6:05 AM

2022-08-09T06:05:29-04:00

Hallelujah! It’s a start, waiting to see the follow up.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 10 at 2022 2:19 PM

2022-08-10T14:19:21-04:00

President Biden is signing this bill today. HOOAH!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 10 at 2022 2:28 PM

2022-08-10T14:28:26-04:00

Thanks to Jon Stewart

Response by SGT Michael Frachiseur made Aug 10 at 2022 8:54 PM

2022-08-10T20:54:12-04:00

Are Ft. McClellan Vet's going to be swept under the rug like we have been for decades?

Response by FN Donald Deabler made Aug 10 at 2022 11:02 PM

2022-08-10T23:02:08-04:00

OK, so here we are. It's mostly good, we all know that. But I bet there's an aspect of this "open spending" legislation that many of you have never been made aware of. Private Contractors have been siphoning off BILLIONS of Veteran dollars for decades, right under your noses, and nobody seems to care. Wait until you see what they do with THIS windfall, unless there's some serious oversight. Which is, in my opinion, why it got "political."

Do yourself a favor and research the history of Community Care Referral, and C & P Exam, Contractors. Their formation, founders, owners, performance, etc. It's all available.

I would have never known about it either except for my personal experience.
Here's how I found out about it.

During my Compensation Claim process, I was referred to QTC Medical for my C & P Exam. The DBQ was so unprofessional, incomplete, and biased, that the VBA allowed me to Appeal the DBQ (a very very rare occurrence,) ordered a new Exam from a different provider. The new DBQ was in my favor, and my claim was approved.

Here's a (bitter) taste of what searching "QTC Medical Veteran Contract" will yield.

Yes, you read right, my friends. Former VA Secretaries have been cashing in on VA backlogs and shortfalls for a very long time. You think they may have had a plan? Learn more about Mission Act/Community Care Referral fees, too. It's not pretty.

I wonder...does anyone HERE care about this? I ask because I've been writing to Legislators for 5 years now, and have never received an on-point response.
https://www.disabledveterans.org/2017/08/08/qtc-wins-6-8-billion-va-contract-va-just-award-contract/

QTC Wins $6.8 Billion VA Contract, Or, Did VA Just Award Itself A Contract?

QTC Medical Services was just awarded the prime contract to perform disability compensation examinations for VA with a ceiling of $6.8 billion, again. QTC, a Leidos company, announced winning the c…

Response by SPC Russell Nixon made Aug 11 at 2022 2:58 AM

2022-08-11T02:58:10-04:00

Can we make one of the benefits that lobbying politicians stop protecting inefficient, corner-cutting companies they bridge-financed with public funding into corporate status? I mean, Congress only did it so they can siphon out of that budget and then launder it into whatever campaign they choose.

The swamp needs to be drained because it has flooded all three branches of the government rather than just the legislative and judicial.

Response by PO3 Mary Muhlig made Aug 11 at 2022 10:02 AM

2022-08-11T10:02:16-04:00

When will those of us poisoned at Camp Lejeune receive a new presumptive list? I do not have kidney cancer, but I'm suffering with CKD Stage 3..I'm thrilled for my fellow Vets in finally being recognized, but please don't leave some of us behind waiting

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Aug 11 at 2022 1:12 PM

2022-08-11T13:12:36-04:00

So many will benefit from this ....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2022 3:38 PM

2022-08-12T15:38:02-04:00

Finally... the Trumpublicans didn't succeed in stopping it.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Aug 13 at 2022 4:17 PM

2022-08-13T16:17:22-04:00

They have signed stuff before and it goes to back burner. And has anyone noticed they always leave out fort McClellan. I was approved for having my house handicapped when Trump was in office as a 100% service connected disabled veteran but by the time they got to doing it Biden came in office and everything changed. Now I can't even get a ride to VA hospital over 4 hrs away and they came and put up 3 grab bars I fall by bathtub. No ramps but they sent me a new walker I didn't need. Now I can't get on myevet either. It's all messed up. They stopped giving me rides when my heart got worse and my bladder prolapsed and need knee replacement. My last trip to VA with ride was Oct 2019. Dav bailed on 2 appts then said I didn't qualify.

Response by CPL David Widding made Aug 16 at 2022 6:28 PM

2022-08-16T18:28:20-04:00

So to recap the VA refused to deal with service related injuries and sickness ant yet everyone at the VA still has a job

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 17 at 2022 12:02 PM

2022-08-17T12:02:24-04:00

“ The measure was sent to the White House after Republicans had blocked the legislation last week, objecting to the inclusion of $400 billion in mandatory spending that would not be subject to annual appropriations review — unlike the usual discretionary spending for federal agencies and programs that Congress reviews and approves annually.”

Response by SMSgt Sheila Berg made Aug 29 at 2022 6:12 PM

2022-08-29T18:12:20-04:00

I am getting Emails from Law Firms looking to represent Military members, families or retirees. Please note a VSO( Veteran Service Officer) can assists you for free. They will have the required forms and will complete them for you.

Response by SGT Brian Jarvi made Aug 31 at 2022 9:15 PM

2022-08-31T21:15:42-04:00

It’s all good but I suffer from cardiac problems from them and the PACT act doesn’t cover that. The smoke from them were like a thick fog bank. Always had sore throat and coughing. They also chopped the Ft McCllellan registry out of it.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 18 at 2022 4:49 AM

2022-09-18T04:49:00-04:00

thanks for sharing.

Response by SPC Loretta Dillon made Oct 2 at 2022 10:24 PM

2022-10-02T22:24:26-04:00

The ONLY thing in that bill that was any good !!!

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Oct 13 at 2022 2:30 PM

2022-10-13T14:30:56-04:00

Thank you so much for sharing this very important information about Veterans Health with us! As a Disabled Blinded Veteran, I have truly appreciated the wonderful support I have received from the VA Clinic in Mobile, Alabama!

Response by MSG Manuel Garcia made Oct 27 at 2022 8:57 AM

2022-10-27T08:57:37-04:00

as a long time Republican it is sad to see everyday my Party voting down on anything that has to do with helping the citizens of the USA. So who are they truly supporting? then they have the gull to get on interviews screaming that they help pass a bill for this or that, but when you look at the roll-call list, their names are on the NAY. SMFH!