ICYMI: Senator Hassan Hosts Town Hall on the PACT Act to Discuss Upcoming VA Enrollment Deadline
ICYMI: Senator Hassan Hosts Town Hall on the PACT Act to Discuss Upcoming VA Enrollment Deadline
MANCHESTER – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan hosted a town hall yesterday to raise awareness about the PACT Act and answer questions about it. Senator Hassan also highlighted the PACT Act’s upcoming September 30th open enrollment deadline for post-9/11 combat veterans who were discharged more than 10 years ago and who are not currently enrolled in VA health care.
In addition to Senator Hassan, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Steve Miska joined the town hall. He leads the VA’s implementation of the PACT Act. Leadership from the Manchester VAMC and Veterans Benefits Administration regional office also participated.
Senator Hassan helped negotiate and pass into law the PACT Act -- historic, bipartisan legislation that will deliver to all generations of veterans exposed to toxic substances the VA health care and benefits that they need. Now over one year later, more than 1,500 New Hampshire veterans have already enrolled in VA health care and more than 3,000 PACT Act-related disability claims have been filed in New Hampshire.
To see coverage of the event from WMUR, click here or see below:
WMUR: Deadline nears for veterans to enroll for VA health care under PACT Act
By Adam Sexton
MANCHESTER, N.H. —Time is running out for certain veterans to take advantage of a fast track to Veterans Affairs health care.
Last year's PACT Act expanded benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service, but the deadline to enroll for VA health care is days away.
The VA has been fighting a new battle over the past year, trying to connect more veterans with care, specifically, those exposed to hazardous materials, such as toxic burn pits during the global war on terror or Agent Orange during Vietnam.
Eligibility expanded under the PACT Act, which U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, helped negotiate and pass into law.
"This was an important next step in recognizing that veterans who are exposed to toxic substances have particular health care needs and may develop health care conditions that we now presume are service-connected," Hassan said.
The senator held a veterans town hall Tuesday with PACT Act transitional executive director Steven Miska, who is urging veterans to seek the specialized care of VA doctors trained to identify diseases caused by toxic exposure.
"It's important to give our providers a chance, because they're the best at understanding toxic exposure and the types of situations that might manifest as a result, and they can look for it in a proactive way," Miska said.
There's a deadline looming. Until Sept. 30, veterans who deployed to a combat zone, who never enrolled in VA health care, and who left the military between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, are eligible to enroll in VA health care without first applying for benefits.
It's a step that's meant to streamline the process for getting help.
The deadline is about rapid access to care, and it doesn't curtail existing PACT Act benefits. Veterans are being urged to reach out even if they're uncertain about their eligibility.
"Any veteran that thinks they may have been exposed in any way, shape or form owes it to themselves, their fellow veterans and their families to at least get tested, see about getting this tox screen to see if they can get any answers for some of the issues we might be going through," veteran Bob Dionne, of Manchester, said.
###
