Murray Hears From Bellingham Veterans on PACT Act Implementation, Largest Expansion of Veterans’ Benefits in Decades

Murray made clear she’s determined to provide careful oversight of the implementation of the PACT Act while securing the necessary resources to fund the massive expansion of benefits

More than 354,000 Washington state veterans could benefit from the recently enacted PACT Act Murray helped pass

In addition to serving as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray has also assumed the gavel to lead the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for VA and implementation of the PACT Act.

Washington state veterans can learn more about PACT Act benefits HERE

***PHOTOS and VIDEO of the event are available for widespread distribution***

***AUDIO of the event available for widespread distribution***

(Bellingham, WA) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable in Bellingham at the Civic Center Building to hear from local veterans, providers, and advocates about the early implementation of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act).

In addition to serving as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray has also assumed the gavel of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing funding for VA. Murray also serves as a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which she previously chaired. The daughter of a WWII veteran, Murray has long been focused on ensuring Congress lives up to its obligations to our veterans. During the roundtable, Murray made clear that she would be certain to provide careful oversight over the implementation of the PACT Act while making sure VA has the necessary resources to administer the massive expansion of benefits.

The PACT Act has expanded VA health care eligibility to more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed Post-9/11 combat veterans and more than 354,000 Washington state veterans.

“This is the largest expansion in VA services and medical care for toxic-exposed veterans in over 30 years—it’s a really big deal,” said Senator Murray. “But a huge expansion of benefits also means a huge uptick in claims—so I want to make sure things on the ground are working for our veterans. It’s my job to be a voice for Washington state veterans in Congress, so I am going to be watching really closely to make sure VA has the resources it needs and is getting the job done right for our veterans as they work to implement the PACT Act.”

Murray helped secure $5 billion for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, which provides the resources to fund the PACT Act when she helped pass last year’s spending bill. On January 1, VA started processing all claims submitted under the PACT Act and is actively working to hire more staff to help administer claims and benefits. These positions will be funded out of the dedicated Toxic Exposures Fund.

Among its many priorities, the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 will:

1. Expand VA health care eligibility to more than 3.5 million toxic-exposed Post-9/11 combat veterans and more than 354,000 Washington state veterans;
2. Create a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure;
3. Add 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to VA’s list of service presumptions, including hypertension;
4. Expand presumptions related to Agent Orange exposure;
   1. Includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll as locations for Agent Orange exposure;
5. Strengthen federal research on toxic exposure;
6. Improve VA’s resources and training for toxic-exposed veterans; and
7. Set VA and veterans up for success by investing in:
   1. VA claims processing;
   2. VA’s workforce; and
   3. VA health care facilities.

For post-9/11 combat veterans, the PACT Act extends the period of time they have to enroll in VA health care to 10 years post-discharge. It also creates a one-year open enrollment period for veterans who do not fall within the 10-year window. Murray is working on ensuring veterans are aware of this benefit and can enroll within the year.

At the roundtable, Murray was joined by Liz Witowski, Veterans Specialist at the Whatcom County Department of Health; Mike Novotny, Team Lead at the Bellingham Vet Center; Brent Waggoner, Office Manager at the Bellingham Vet Center; Tonneli Gruetter, Director of Growth and Outreach at Growing Veterans; Lynne Graham, Counselor at Bellingham Vet Center; Paul Pelot, Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) at WorkSouce Whatcom; and Al Jensen, former Commander at American Legion Post 7.

###