President Joe Biden discussed how his administration has helped more than 1 million veterans and their families receive benefits under the PACT Act for toxic exposure during military service.
Seung Min Kim reports for the Associated Press.
In short:
- President Biden emphasized his commitment to veterans by highlighting the PACT Act, which grants disability benefits for those exposed to toxic substances during service.
- The PACT Act has provided approximately $5.7 billion in benefits to over 888,000 veterans and survivors across all 50 states since its enactment in August 2022.
- Before the law, the VA denied 70% of claims related to toxic exposure; now, it presumes certain illnesses are related, easing the process for affected veterans.
Key quote:
“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."
— Denis McDonough, Veterans Affairs secretary
Why this matters:
This landmark legislation addresses long-standing issues faced by veterans exposed to toxic substances, significantly improving their access to health benefits and acknowledging their service-related health struggles. Read more: Is the toxic legacy of the Iraq War deforming children near US bases?
