Message from Councilman Roc White | March 8, 2024
As a Gulf War veteran, I was very pleased to learn the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is now providing health care services to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service. Beginning this week, they will now be able to enroll in VA health care – years earlier than expected.
This expansion is required by the federal PACT Act, opening up new eligibility for health care up to eight years ahead of schedule.
You may recall the PACT Act was a big focus of comedian Jon Stewart, who joined demonstrators in 2022 to raise awareness about illnesses related to burn pits. Millions of veterans are suffering from respiratory illness and cancer as a result of breathing toxic fumes or being exposed to radiation or chemicals like tactical herbicides, such as Agent Orange.
The VA’s announcement means that veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 and were exposed to toxic substances were allowed to enroll in VA health care starting Tuesday, March 5.
Up to 3.5 million post-9/11 former service members could be eligible, according to lawmakers and veterans’ organizations.
I was pleased to learn that veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the U.S. will also be eligible to enroll.
The VA’s decision to expand health care coverage years ahead of schedule is great news. This expansion will be a game-changer for veterans in our community who were exposed to toxic substances during their service, getting them much needed health care that they have earned and deserve.
This is a tremendous, long-awaited victory. That’s because the bipartisan PACT Act, passed into law in 2022, fundamentally reforms and improves how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the VA.
Spreading this important information is one way in which Scotch Plains shows honor and respect for our veterans. We are also in the midst of remembering all Gold Star Families in our community, by placing “toppers” on street signs in neighborhoods where our young soldiers died in foreign wars.
We are also planning for our annual Memorial Day celebration. In the upcoming weeks, we will be announcing our theme for this year’s festivities, as well as highlighting our grand marshals and the spiritual leader who will be performing the invocation and benediction.
I hope that you can spend Memorial Day weekend with us, as we remember those who have paid the ultimate price for freedom. It is also the ideal time for families to mingle with our local veterans and learn more about the patriotism and sacrifice that are integral in protecting this great country.
