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Today, Rep. Matt Cartwright 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. Cartwright’s vote today will provide Pennsylvania veterans better and faster access to the health care they need and deserve after dangerous toxic exposure.
The bill also includes multiple Cartwright amendments, to help veterans exposed to burn pits:
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Adds the text of the SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act to require the Department of the VA to document, track, and then notify Congress of specified data points related to exposure cases as reported by veterans to the VA.
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Requires the Secretary of the VA to share a list of resources for toxic-exposed veterans, caregivers of toxic-exposed veterans, and survivors of toxic exposed vets with national veterans services organizations and other veteran groups
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. Matt Cartwright 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 Matt Cartwright 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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