Pappas Applauds PACT Act Milestone, Urges NH Veterans to File Claim
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that 5 million veterans had been screened for toxic exposure under the PACT Act, which Rep. Pappas fought to pass last year
Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, celebrated the news that five million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure since the PACT Act became law. Pappas continues to urge New Hampshire veterans to contact his office, VA, or a VA-recognized VSO to learn more about how to file a claim under the PACT Act and get screened.
“The PACT Act finally recognizes toxic exposure as a cost of war and addresses its impacts on service members, and I was proud to fight for this legislation that expands eligibility for 3.5 million veterans," said Congressman Chris Pappas. “To date, thousands of New Hampshire veterans have filed PACT Act-related claims and have enrolled in VA care for the first time. Our service members already faced numerous threats to life and limb during their time in uniform, and they shouldn’t have to fight another battle when their service ends to get the care they have earned. This is an important milestone, but we know there is more work to do until every toxic-exposed veteran gets the care they need. I continue to urge New Hampshire veterans to file a claim as soon as possible and encourage anyone with questions to contact our office for assistance.”
Background:
Congressman Pappas was an original cosponsor of the Honoring our PACT Act, which included Pappas’s VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act, which expands VA workforce by enhancing hiring practices and incentives to recruit and retain health care professionals. It was signed into law in August 2022.
Pappas has led the fight in Congress to ensure the PACT Act is implemented quickly and effectively. Earlier this year, Pappas helped lead a subcommittee hearing that focused on the implementation of the PACT Act. In March, he questioned Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough on several key issues facing Granite State veterans, including PACT implementation.
On the one-year anniversary of the PACT Act becoming law, Pappas launched an outreach effort to encourage New Hampshire veterans to submit a claim under the PACT Act and remind them they can file by August 9 to be eligible to receive retroactive benefits.