Chair MatasCastillo attends White House ceremony expanding benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances
Chair MatasCastillo at PACT Act signing
Ramsey County Board Chair and veteran Trista MatasCastillo, District 3, attended a White House bill-signing ceremony today for the bipartisan PACT Act, one of the largest expansions in veterans health care and benefits in history.
The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expands benefits for over 5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic substances across all generations and eras of military service. Commissioner MatasCastillo chairs the Veterans Policy Group at the National Association of Counties (NACo) and is a long-time advocate for increasing access to services, advancing equity, and improving the quality of life for veterans.
The PACT Act provides the following expanded benefits to veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving in the military:
- Expands and extends eligibility for Veterans Administration (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 and adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
- Requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care.
- Helps improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.
The PACT Act also includes the Atomic Vets Act, allowing veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll on the Marshall Islands to receive the same health care and benefits given to other service members who were involved in active nuclear tests. The PACT Act, which was co-authored by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), was signed into law today by President Joe Biden following passage by the House and Senate.
If you or someone you know has questions or needs help applying for their benefits under the PACT Act, contact Ramsey County Veterans Services at 651-266-2545 or online.
Learn more about the PACT Act from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs