
-
BlogThe bill, which amends legislation previously passed in the U.S. House, would provide $278 billion over the next ten years to expand U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service.Senate passes historic bipartisan toxic exposure legislation
-
Blog
Senate passes historic bipartisan toxic exposure legislation
On June 16, with a vote of 84-14, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 (H.R. 3967). The bill, which amends legislation previously passed in the U.S. House, would provide $278 billion over the next ten years to expand U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service.
The Senate bill costs about $43 billion less than the House-passed measure due to provisions that phase-in implementation of some benefits and create savings by shifting certain medical tests and check-ups to community care programs. The Senate also added billions in funding for additional VA staff in medical offices and benefits processing centers, and new health care facility leases.
Due to these changes, the House must now pass the legislation before it heads to the President’s desk for a signature.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has been working with lawmakers and the administration to pass bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to address veterans’ toxic exposure issues. Counties are deeply invested in veterans’ health and well-being, often serving as a veteran’s first point of contact in the community for accessing services, and in 29 states we fund County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) who are responsible for helping veterans obtain more than $80 billion annually in federal health, disability, pension and compensation benefits.
While the passage of the PACT Act will benefit county health systems and our many veteran residents, the Senate bill removed funding for states to increase resources for CVSOs, many of whom will be responsible for processing the millions of new claims expected to arise from the bill’s implementation. Counties urge Congress to swiftly pass the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act to ensure CVSOs can meet growing caseloads and ensure veterans receive the care they need.
Find the full text of the PACT Act here. A one-pager on the bill can also be found here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Blog: VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicide
- NACo Blog: VA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancers
- NACo Blog: U.S. House passes legislation to fund County Veterans Service Officers, address toxic exposure
The bill, which amends legislation previously passed in the U.S. House, would provide $278 billion over the next ten years to expand U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service.2022-06-16Blog2022-06-17
On June 16, with a vote of 84-14, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 (H.R. 3967). The bill, which amends legislation previously passed in the U.S. House, would provide $278 billion over the next ten years to expand U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service.
The Senate bill costs about $43 billion less than the House-passed measure due to provisions that phase-in implementation of some benefits and create savings by shifting certain medical tests and check-ups to community care programs. The Senate also added billions in funding for additional VA staff in medical offices and benefits processing centers, and new health care facility leases.
Due to these changes, the House must now pass the legislation before it heads to the President’s desk for a signature.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has been working with lawmakers and the administration to pass bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to address veterans’ toxic exposure issues. Counties are deeply invested in veterans’ health and well-being, often serving as a veteran’s first point of contact in the community for accessing services, and in 29 states we fund County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) who are responsible for helping veterans obtain more than $80 billion annually in federal health, disability, pension and compensation benefits.
While the passage of the PACT Act will benefit county health systems and our many veteran residents, the Senate bill removed funding for states to increase resources for CVSOs, many of whom will be responsible for processing the millions of new claims expected to arise from the bill’s implementation. Counties urge Congress to swiftly pass the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act to ensure CVSOs can meet growing caseloads and ensure veterans receive the care they need.
Find the full text of the PACT Act here. A one-pager on the bill can also be found here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- NACo Blog: VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicide
- NACo Blog: VA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancers
- NACo Blog: U.S. House passes legislation to fund County Veterans Service Officers, address toxic exposure

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
VA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicide
On May 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced an opportunity for stakeholders across the country including counties to participate in Mission Daybreak — a $20 million grant challenge designed to help VA develop new suicide prevention strategies for veterans. -
Blog
VA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancers
On April 25, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) adding nine respiratory cancers to the list of illnesses presumed to be caused by exposure to burn pits during military service for certain veterans. -
Blog
VA now accepting applications for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
On April 15, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officially published the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). -
Blog
VA shares implementation plan and locations of PAWS Act pilot program
On March 30, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a Federal Register Notice on its plan for implementing a five-year pilot program required by the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act (PAWS Act), which aims to connect veterans with mental health treatment through work with service dogs. -
Blog
VA publishes Interim Final Rule for new veteran suicide prevention grant program
New Interim Final Rule specifies VA’s implementation plan for a new community-based suicide prevention program -
Blog
House introduces bill that would increase resources for veteran and military caregivers
On February 25, U.S. House Reps. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) and Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) introduced the bipartisan Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022 (H.R. 6823) to provide critical investment in caregiver support at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
-
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> -
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>
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
-
Legislative Assistant(202) 942-4259
Related Posts
-
BlogVA launches $20 million innovation challenge to reduce veteran suicideMay. 31, 2022
-
BlogVA establishes presumptive service connection for nine respiratory cancersApr. 26, 2022
-
BlogVA now accepting applications for new veteran suicide prevention grant programApr. 18, 2022
Related Resources
-
Press ReleaseCounties Applaud Passage of Veterans Health Care PackageMar. 3, 2022
-
Policy BriefAuthorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs)Jan. 13, 2022
-
External ResourceFind a County Veteran Service OfficerJan. 1, 2022