President Biden celebrated the success of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, signed nearly two years ago. This law expanded health care coverage and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, resulting in over $6.8 billion in benefits for 1 million veterans. The VA is now studying other illnesses for presumptive status to provide easier access to care and benefits for affected veterans. Additionally, the VA is looking into granting benefits to 16,000 veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad in Uzbekistan, known as K2, due to harmful contaminants present in the environment. Since the law took effect, 739,421 veterans have enrolled in VA health care programs, with 333,767 covered under the PACT Act.
The PACT Act has been successful in granting benefits to over 1 million veterans and 10,000 survivors of veterans who died. VA Secretary McDonough has stated that more than $5.7 billion in earned benefits have been distributed as a result of the law. The VA has an interactive dashboard to help veterans apply for benefits under the PACT Act, and in-person events and a helpline are available for assistance. The Biden administration continues to push for further support and benefits for veterans, recognizing the importance of addressing the health needs of those who served.
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