The PACT Act is a historic new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This new law empowers VA to provide generations of veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they have earned.
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
PACT Act Explained:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
- Requires research studies on mortality of Veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War, Post-9/11 Veteran health trends, and Veteran cancer rates
- Helps VA build a stronger, more skilled workforce to meet the growing demand for benefits and services
- Authorizes funding for 31 VA new facilities across the country
For more information about the PACT Act, please visit www.va.gov/pact