Thousands of Wyoming veterans have benefited from screenings and claims filings for toxic exposures, a move that has been greatly aided by the PACT Act.
Madelyn Beck reports for WyoFile.
In short:
- The PACT Act enables veterans exposed to toxins during service to access VA health care and benefits for specific diseases.
- More than 9,000 veterans in Wyoming have been screened, with more than 4,000 connected to necessary medical resources.
- Efforts are also focused on reaching underserved groups, including women and Native American veterans, with specialized programs and partnerships.
Key quote:
“Maybe we failed them the first time around. I’d ask them to give us another shot.”
— Denis McDonough, U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary
Why this matters:
The PACT Act represents a significant step in recognizing and addressing the health challenges faced by veterans, reflecting a broader commitment to improving veteran care nationwide. Veterans' health issues are many and varied, ranging from toxic exposures during the Middle-east wars, toxic housing, contaminated water and PFAS exposures from aqueous film forming firefighting foam.
