Torres Amendments Included in Honoring our PACT Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) applauded the inclusion of her two amendments as part of the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act, legislation which recognizes military toxic exposure, and provides comprehensive care for toxic-exposed veterans. The two amendments introduced by Congresswoman Torres will make resources for toxic-exposed veterans available in the 10 most-spoken languages in the United States, including Spanish, and will require the Veterans Affairs Department to study how the use of early detection diagnostic tests can benefit veterans' care. This is especially important for veterans that were exposed to burn pits and other toxic exposures because it would help the VA address the healthcare needs of these veterans as quickly and effectively as possible.
"Our armed men and women take on immeasurable risk when they volunteer to serve our country, including exposure to environmental hazards and toxic substances," said Congresswoman Torres. "As we learn more about toxic exposure during military service, it's clear we have not been doing enough to support our veterans who are suffering from the health consequences of their exposure to burn pits or other toxic substances."
"I'm pleased that my two amendments have been included in this legislation, both of which will make this care more accessible to our veterans, regardless of their background," Rep. Torres continued. "Our veterans have upheld their commitment to protect our democracy and country through their sacrifice and service, and now it's our turn to do the same. I'm proud to have worked on this legislation, and glad to see it pass in the House. I encourage my Senate counterparts to consider this long-overdue commitment and pass it quickly to deliver these hard-earned benefits to our veterans."
The Congresswoman's two amendments included in the Honoring our PACT Act will:
- Require the publication of the list of resources provided by the VA to toxic-exposed veterans be made available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and the 7 other most commonly spoken languages in the United States
- Include language about the feasibility and advisability of VA looking at available early detection diagnostics and how they might be incorporated into veterans' care.
The Honoring our PACT Act will:
- Provide Priority Group 6 health care for certain toxic exposed veterans
- Provide extension of combat eligibility for health care from 5 to 10 years with a one-year open enrollment period for those veterans who missed their window.
- Streamline VA's review process for establishing toxic exposure presumptions
- Concede exposure to airborne hazards/burn pits based on locations & dates of service
- Require medical exams/opinions for certain veterans with toxic exposure disability claims
- Add hypertension and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to the list of presumptions for Agent Orange exposure
- Establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers related to burn pits/airborne hazards exposure
- Create a presumption of exposure to radiation for veterans who participated in cleanup activities in Palomares, Spain, and Enewetak Atoll
- Expand agent orange exposure to veterans who served in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia
- Improve data collection between VA and the Department of Defense
- Commission studies related to incidents of cancer among veterans, health trends of Post-9/11 veterans and feasibility of providing healthcare to dependents of veterans
- Require VA to provide standardized training to improve toxic exposure disability claims adjudications
- Require VA to conduct outreach and provide resources to toxic exposed veterans
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