Larsen Supports Bipartisan Bill to Expand Care and Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances

Statement

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) recently supported House passage of Honoring Our PACT Act, bipartisan legislation to treat toxic exposure as a cost of war by addressing the full range of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans, including access to earned benefits and health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Honoring Our PACT Act passed the House of Representatives on Thursday by a final vote of 256 to 174 and now heads to the Senate.

"America's women and men in uniform sacrifice greatly. This bipartisan bill ensures veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances like Agent Orange and PFAS can access the care and benefits they need," said Larsen, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

Specifically, the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act:

Provides Priority Group 6 health care for more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans nationwide
Provides extension of combat eligibility for health care from 5 to 10 years with a one-year open enrollment period for those veterans who missed their window
Streamlines VA's review process for establishing toxic exposure presumptions
Concedes exposure to airborne hazards/burn pits based on locations and dates of service
Requires medical exams/opinions for certain veterans with toxic exposure disability claims
Adds hypertension and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to the list of presumptions for Agent Orange exposure
Establishes a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits/airborne hazards exposure
Creates a presumption of exposure to radiation for veterans who participated in cleanup activities in Palomares, Spain and Enewetak Atoll
Allows for a new tort claim for veterans and families exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune
Expands Agent Orange exposure to veterans who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia
Improves data collection between VA and the Department of Defense
Commissions studies related to incidents of cancer among veterans, health trends of Post 9/11 veterans and feasibility of providing health care to dependents of veterans
Requires VA to provide standardized training to improve toxic exposure disability claims adjudications
Requires VA to conduct outreach and provide resources to toxic exposed veterans
Larsen is committed to ensuring the women and men who served in unform have access to the resources and services they need. In November, Larsen held a district-wide telephone town hall to hear Northwest Washington veterans' concerns and answer questions on issues that directly impact veterans and their families. He also recently introduced legislation to temporarily overturn a 1992 ban on IVF treatment for veterans who suffer from service-connected fertility issues and to help veterans who live in rural communities get to and from their medical appointments.

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