Washington, D.C. — Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, issued the following statement after voting for the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. The PACT Act connects veterans who were exposed to burn pits or other dangerous toxins in service to our country with the healthcare and benefits they have earned. “I am delighted to see Congressional leaders reach agreement on a bill that significantly builds on the work the VA is already doing to provide benefits to toxic-exposed veterans in a more responsible manner than previously considered legislation,” said Moore. “I understand the necessity of delivering on our responsibility to honor the sacrifices of our servicemembers and care for them when they return home, and this bill helps us fulfill that responsibility. I thank my colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee for their hard work on this legislation.” In June, Moore opposed an earlier version of the PACT Act before significant changes were made in the Senate. This updated version supported by Moore adjusts costs to ensure that taxpayer money is not used irresponsibly and codifies the scientific framework already used by the VA to provide benefits to toxic-exposed veterans. It will authorize 31 new major medical leases to help ensure that veterans across the country can get the care they need in a timely manner. Click here for a copy of the bill and here for a comprehensive summary of the bill from the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Bipartisan 2022 Pact Act Summary: - Builds on the comprehensive framework VA has been piloting for the past year that streamlines benefits for future generations of veterans and survivors by establishing presumptions of service connection
- Permits VA to immediately provide presumptive benefits to survivors and those veterans who are terminally ill, homeless, over the age of 85, experiencing extreme financial hardship, or able to show another emergent need
- Provides a phased-in approach to awarding benefits under a presumption of service connection related to toxic exposure
- Requires VA to partner with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct toxic exposure studies with enhanced reporting requirements
- Requires VA to conduct outreach to any veteran who had previously filed a claim for benefits related to toxic exposure and were denied to ensure they are aware of the opportunity to refile
- Allows the Secretary to remove a presumptive disability benefit if further research finds there is no scientific link
- Incorporates improved and enhanced toxic exposure screening for veterans who use VA care and improves VA’s toxic exposure questionnaire
- Authorizes 31 major medical facility leases and simplifies the lease authorization process to ensure veterans get the timely care they have earned
- Expands VA’s authority to partner with DOD, academic affiliates, and others to share space and improve services for veterans, servicemembers, and military families
- Improves VA’s ability to recruit and retain VA health care, benefits, and administrative staff to ensure that VA has the capacity to expand care and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans without disrupting services or causing longer wait times for care and compensation
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