U.S. House passes legislation to fund County Veterans Service Officers, address toxic exposure

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BlogOn March 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation to permanently expand access to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to airborne toxins during their military service.U.S. House passes legislation to fund County Veterans Service Officers, address toxic exposure
- U.S. House passes bill to expand health and disability benefits for veterans exposed to airborne toxins during military service
- House-passed toxic exposure bill includes language to provide federal resources for County Veteran Service Officers
- Counties urge swift passage of toxic exposure legislation and funding for CVSOs in the Senate
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Blog
U.S. House passes legislation to fund County Veterans Service Officers, address toxic exposure
On March 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation to permanently expand access to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to airborne toxins during their military service. The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 (H.R. 3967) would impact up to 3.5 million veterans exposed to environmental hazards and other toxic substances, such as burn pits, during the Global War on Terror. Critically, the final version of the measure also includes the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (H.R. 4601/S. 2405), a key county priority.
Counties support the PACT Act, which would ensure the post 9/11 veterans in our communities are no longer denied the disability compensation and health coverage they are owed after being exposed to contaminants and environmental hazards in service to their country. Not only will this legislation improve the health and wellbeing of our valued former servicemembers, but it will yield significant savings throughout county health systems, particularly by expanding access to preventative care.
Along with the House action, the Biden administration is taking steps to address health and disability benefits for toxic-exposed veterans via the regulatory process. On March 1, VA announced that after a focused scientific review, the agency will be issuing rule to add nine rare respiratory cancers to the list presumed service-connected disabilities.
The administrative and legislative action on toxic exposure among veterans underscores the importance of the CVSO Act, which is a key county priority. By authorizing $250 million over five years for to states to expand the work of CVSOs or comparable entities, the CVSO Act would play a key role in helping veterans access a range of service-connected federal benefits, a process largely dependent on the assistance of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) in 29 states. Currently, these officers are funded almost entirely by counties, which creates challenges for areas with high demand or counties that serve veterans in rural areas. New federal resources to county governments to help us meet our growing caseloads, especially as millions of veterans begin filing claims based on newly established presumptive conditions.
Counties urge Congress to come to an agreement on toxic exposure legislation that includes the CVSO Act.
Additional Resources
- NACo Policy Brief: Authorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers
- NACo Blog: Members of U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee unveil comprehensive package to aid veterans, address toxic exposure
- NACo Letter of Support: CVSO Act
On March 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation to permanently expand access to the U.S.2022-03-03Blog2022-03-08
On March 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation to permanently expand access to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to airborne toxins during their military service. The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2021 (H.R. 3967) would impact up to 3.5 million veterans exposed to environmental hazards and other toxic substances, such as burn pits, during the Global War on Terror. Critically, the final version of the measure also includes the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (H.R. 4601/S. 2405), a key county priority.
Counties support the PACT Act, which would ensure the post 9/11 veterans in our communities are no longer denied the disability compensation and health coverage they are owed after being exposed to contaminants and environmental hazards in service to their country. Not only will this legislation improve the health and wellbeing of our valued former servicemembers, but it will yield significant savings throughout county health systems, particularly by expanding access to preventative care.
Along with the House action, the Biden administration is taking steps to address health and disability benefits for toxic-exposed veterans via the regulatory process. On March 1, VA announced that after a focused scientific review, the agency will be issuing rule to add nine rare respiratory cancers to the list presumed service-connected disabilities.
The administrative and legislative action on toxic exposure among veterans underscores the importance of the CVSO Act, which is a key county priority. By authorizing $250 million over five years for to states to expand the work of CVSOs or comparable entities, the CVSO Act would play a key role in helping veterans access a range of service-connected federal benefits, a process largely dependent on the assistance of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) in 29 states. Currently, these officers are funded almost entirely by counties, which creates challenges for areas with high demand or counties that serve veterans in rural areas. New federal resources to county governments to help us meet our growing caseloads, especially as millions of veterans begin filing claims based on newly established presumptive conditions.
Counties urge Congress to come to an agreement on toxic exposure legislation that includes the CVSO Act.
Additional Resources
- NACo Policy Brief: Authorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers
- NACo Blog: Members of U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee unveil comprehensive package to aid veterans, address toxic exposure
- NACo Letter of Support: CVSO Act

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
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Reports & Toolkits
Operation Green Light for Veterans 2023: County Participation Toolkit
Find resources to help your county participate in Operation Green Light, including information on converting municipal lighting to green, outreach materials and more. -
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VA shares resources to assist with PACT Act outreach efforts
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs began processing PACT Act benefit claims on January 1, 2023, and has been leading a nationwide outreach campaign to inform veterans, their families and survivors about the PACT Act and encouraging them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned. -
Policy Brief
Authorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs)
ACTION NEEDED: Urge your members of Congress to reintroduce and pass the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (H.R. 984/S.106), which would authorize federal funding to expand and strengthen County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs). -
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House passes CVSO Act to support veterans
On November 29, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider the bipartisan Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach (CVSO) Act (H.R. 4601/S. 2405). Counties strongly support this legislation as it would increase the ability of state, county, municipal and tribal veteran service officers to support veterans as they navigate the wide range of their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits including health care, housing and transition assistance programs. -
Webinar
Operation Green Light for Veterans: Highlights and Next Steps for Counties
Nov. 29, 2022 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmJoin us for a webinar reflecting on Operation Green Light and learn about opportunities to continue serving and supporting veterans at the county level.
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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
Contact
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Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
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BlogApplications open for $52.5 million in VA grants for veteran suicide preventionMar. 13, 2023
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BlogVA shares resources to assist with PACT Act outreach effortsFeb. 23, 2023
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BlogHouse passes CVSO Act to support veteransDec. 2, 2022
Related Resources
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Reports & ToolkitsOperation Green Light for Veterans 2023: County Participation ToolkitJun. 28, 2023
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Policy BriefAuthorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs)Feb. 1, 2023
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Press ReleaseOperation Green Light Gains Traction Heading Into Veterans DayNov. 10, 2022