Pappas Presses VA Secretary Over PACT Act Implementation and Manchester VA Infrastructure

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, questioned Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough on several key issues facing Granite State veterans, including the infrastructure needs of the Manchester VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the implementation of the Honoring Our PACT Act, which included several provisions Pappas authored and is expanding VA health care to over three million toxic-exposed veterans.

During his questioning, Pappas asked Secretary McDonough to address ongoing infrastructure needs facing Manchester VAMC. Pappas credited the staff at VAMC for their tireless work overcoming recent challenges, including a burst pipe that flooded several floors and interrupted operations and appointments, but highlighted the urgency of addressing infrastructure needs at the VA and reiterated his call for VA infrastructure funding. In his answer, Secretary McDonough acknowledged the importance of robust funding in the VA’s infrastructure budget to support VA facilities like Manchester. 

The Honoring Our PACT Act 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.

Pappas also questioned the VA on the implementation of the PACT Act and specifically asked Secretary McDonough to address outreach efforts to encourage veterans to sign up for care. Pappas relayed the positive feedback of several local New Hampshire Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) on implementation to date but shared his concerns about the lower number of New Hampshire veterans enrolling in health care filing and disability claims through PACT. Pappas secured the support of Secretary McDonough to work together to increase awareness and outreach, including additional claims clinics.