Members of U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee unveil comprehensive package to aid veterans, address toxic exposure

-
Members of U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee unveil comprehensive package to aid veterans, address toxic exposure
-
Blog
Members of U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee unveil comprehensive package to aid veterans, address toxic exposure
On May 26, U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), alongside other Committee members and Veterans Service Officer (VSO) advocates, Jon Stewart and John Feal, unveiled the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (Honoring our PACT Act). The bill aims to address a range of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to earned benefits and care.
Millions of our nation’s veterans are exposed to environmental hazards and other toxic substances, like burn pits, but often struggle to prove the direct service connection necessary to be eligible for VA benefits to cover the associated diseases. The result is a delay in critical medical care and other supports for former servicemembers, an increase in the workload of resource-strapped County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) tasked with connecting veterans to federal benefits and the potential to shift the responsibility of providing healthcare and other services to county systems.
The Honoring our PACT Act is a package of 15 bills already introduced in Congress that seeks to:
- Provide healthcare for veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits;
- Streamline the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) review process;
- Establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits and airborne hazards exposure;
- Create a presumption of exposure to radiation;
- Expand Agent Orange exposure & add hypertension and MGUS to the list of presumptions;
- Require VA provide standardized training & conduct outreach; and
- Improve data collection between VA and the Department of Defense (DOD).
Counties support legislation that ensures veterans who served near burn pits receive VA health coverage and disability benefits for associated medical conditions, specifically policy that eliminates or eases the direct service connection requirement and invests in additional research.
NACo looks forward to working with Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that addresses toxic exposure among our valued former service members.
On May 26, U.S.2021-06-01Blog2021-06-01
On May 26, U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.), alongside other Committee members and Veterans Service Officer (VSO) advocates, Jon Stewart and John Feal, unveiled the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (Honoring our PACT Act). The bill aims to address a range of issues impacting toxic-exposed veterans’ access to earned benefits and care.
Millions of our nation’s veterans are exposed to environmental hazards and other toxic substances, like burn pits, but often struggle to prove the direct service connection necessary to be eligible for VA benefits to cover the associated diseases. The result is a delay in critical medical care and other supports for former servicemembers, an increase in the workload of resource-strapped County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) tasked with connecting veterans to federal benefits and the potential to shift the responsibility of providing healthcare and other services to county systems.
The Honoring our PACT Act is a package of 15 bills already introduced in Congress that seeks to:
- Provide healthcare for veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits;
- Streamline the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) review process;
- Establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits and airborne hazards exposure;
- Create a presumption of exposure to radiation;
- Expand Agent Orange exposure & add hypertension and MGUS to the list of presumptions;
- Require VA provide standardized training & conduct outreach; and
- Improve data collection between VA and the Department of Defense (DOD).
Counties support legislation that ensures veterans who served near burn pits receive VA health coverage and disability benefits for associated medical conditions, specifically policy that eliminates or eases the direct service connection requirement and invests in additional research.
NACo looks forward to working with Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that addresses toxic exposure among our valued former service members.

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
-
Blog
President Biden signs sweeping veterans’ health package into law
Congress and the President have enacted bipartisan legislation to expand VA health and disability benefits to toxic-exposed veterans. -
Blog
NACo’s listening session findings for the White House Hunger Conference
On June 30, the National Association of Counties (NACo) hosted a virtual listening session to inform the White House national strategy to end hunger, increase healthy eating and physical activity and reduce diet related diseases in the United States by 2030. -
Blog
Federal action continues on infant formula shortage
Though the months-long infant formula shortage has improved somewhat in recent weeks, the low stock continues to impact county residents across the nation. With many families still struggling to find and purchase infant formula, Congress and the White House have taken additional steps in recent weeks to address the crisis. -
Press Release
Counties Applaud Final Passage of Veterans Health Care Package, Call for Increased Resources for County Veteran Service Officers
NACo today applauded the final, bipartisan Senate passage of The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, a package that will permanently expand access to Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to airborne toxins during military service. -
Blog
The Limited PSLF Waiver: A Game Changer for County Employees
Many county employees carry a heavy burden of student debt. But now a life-changing opportunity is open to those employed in public service. The Biden administration has created new ways to help student loan borrowers relieve this burden, especially through the limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver. -
Video
NACo Launches Operation Green Light
NACo Veterans and Military Services Committee Chair Chris Lukasevich and National Association of County Veteran Service Officers President Nichole Coleman announce NACo's new special initiative, Operation Green Light for Veterans.
-
Webinar
Improving Housing Access with Recovery Funds
August 24, 2022 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmJoin us to learn how counties are utilizing Recovery Funds to combat the housing shortage, lower the number of Americans experiencing homelessness and ensure that every segment of the population has a safe, affordable and stable home.08243:00 pm<p>Join us to learn how counties are utilizing Recovery Funds to combat the housing shortage, lower the number of Americans experiencing homelessness and ensure that every segment of the population has a safe, affordable and stable hom
-
Webinar
The Opioid Response Network: A Free and Localized Resource to Enhance County-Led Efforts
August 31, 2022 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmCounties across the nation are on the front lines of the opioid and stimulant crisis providing essential public services. To enhance these efforts, refine approaches, fill gaps and help counties achieve their goals, NACo has partnered with the Opioid Response Network (ORN).08313:00 pm<p>Counties across the nation are on the front lines of the opioid and stimulant crisis providing essential public services.
-
Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.Reports & Toolkitsdocument010512:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Basic page
Transforming County Human Services Network
Counties Matter in Human Services There are over 257,000 county human services employees across the country delivering vital services to our nation’s most vulnerable populations.pagepagepage<h3><strong>Counties Matter in Human Services</strong></h3>
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
-
Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
On November 15, 2021, President Biden enacted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58), into law. This page and its contents are supplemental to NACo's comprehensive legislative analysis of the BIL for counties.Reports & Toolkitsdocument030310:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Basic page
Veterans and Military Services Committee
The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families.pagepagepage<p>The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans
-
Reports & Toolkits
Operation Green Light for Veterans: County Toolkit
This coming Veterans Day, NACo and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers invite counties to join Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting our buildings green from November 7 to November 13.Reports & Toolkitsdocument063012:45 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out wht-text">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
-
BlogPresident Biden signs sweeping veterans’ health package into lawAug. 10, 2022
-
BlogNACo’s listening session findings for the White House Hunger ConferenceAug. 4, 2022
-
BlogFederal action continues on infant formula shortageAug. 4, 2022
Related Resources
-
Press ReleaseCounties Applaud Final Passage of Veterans Health Care Package, Call for Increased Resources for County Veteran Service OfficersAug. 3, 2022
-
VideoNACo Launches Operation Green LightJul. 24, 2022
-
Reports & ToolkitsARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local InvestmentsJul. 18, 2022
Related Events
-
24Aug2022
-
31Aug2022Webinar
The Opioid Response Network: A Free and Localized Resource to Enhance County-Led Efforts
Aug. 31, 2022 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm