VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend will hold a PACT Act town hall March 15 in Harlingen to discuss new health care and other benefits for veterans.
The town hall is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the VA Health Care Center (HCC), located at 2601 Veterans Dr.
The event is free and open to the public.
Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors will get information about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for earned toxic exposure-related health care and benefits.
According to a press release, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act brings these changes:
>> Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras;
>> Adds more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures;
>> Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation;
>> Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran enrolled in VA health care;
>> Helps VA improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.
“This law helps us provide generations of veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve,” Public Affairs Officer Hugo Martinez stated in the release. “And connecting with our veterans and the community through events such as this town hall is an integral component to the VA mission.”
Veterans and family members unable to attend are asked to visit www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits or call 800-698-2411.
