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Today, Rep. Chris Pappas voted to pass ambitious legislation targeting military toxic exposure to help millions of veterans get the care they need after serving our country.
House Democrats and President Biden made clear that our nation needs to better recognize the adverse effects toxic exposure to burn pits and airborne hazards have on the lives of our servicemen and women. Pappas’ vote today will provide Granite State veterans better and faster access to the health care they need and deserve after dangerous toxic exposure.
The bill also includes a Pappas bill to establish a national database for veterans and servicemembers experiencing health issues due to contamination from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) substances. This bill will allow veterans to receive access and updates on treatment options and resources related to health issues from PFAS chemicals.
In addition, a Pappas amendment requiring proactive coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish guidelines used for training active-duty personnel to provide awareness of potential risks of toxic exposure and ways to prevent such exposures during combat was included, which will help prevent servicemembers from being harmed by toxic exposure moving forward.
The Honoring Our PACT Act will:
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Provide health care to as many as 3.5 million veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits
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Automatically qualify veterans with specified conditions from toxic exposure for VA health care and disability benefits
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Streamline the VA’s review process and require standardized training & conduct outreach
174 House Republicans voted against delivering this care to our servicemembers.
“Rep. Chris Pappas is committed to delivering for our veterans and making sure servicemembers can lead healthy lives when they return home,” said DCCC Spokesperson James Singer. “Thanks to Chris Pappas and House Democrats, millions of veterans who’ve been forced to wait to receive care are now much closer to the care they deserve.”
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