Rep. Brown Applauds Senate Passage of the PACT Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Shontel M. Brown (OH-11) commended the successful Senate passage of the PACT Act. The PACT Act addresses the full spectrum of issues affecting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to VA benefits and care while also reforming VA’s presumptive decision-making process. Rep. Brown issued the following statement:

“After fighting to protect our democracy, our veterans should not come home to another battle with our healthcare system,” said Rep. Brown. “Veterans often experience increased health hazards during their time of service, and some injuries and illnesses are slow to manifest, such as asthma, cancer, and others. 

“The PACT Act is the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years. While we will never be able to repay our debt to those who wear the uniform by signing this bill into law, Congress has taken a decisive step in ensuring that we care for the servicemen, women, and their families."

The PACT Act will bring these changes:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
• Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures

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