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National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships

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How to use the PACT Act Communication Toolkit

Millions of Veterans and survivors across America are eligible for new health care and benefits because of the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The PACT Act expands health care benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic materials while on active duty. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created the PACT Act toolkit to assist VA employees in educating Veterans, families, caregivers, survivors, and communities and to ensure that eligible Veterans and survivors get the care and benefits they’ve earned.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) is working with external and internal partners like GO₂ Foundation, an organization that focuses on lung cancer screening for Veterans at high risk, and Veteran Community Partnerships (VCPs) to make sure Veterans get the care and benefits they need. VCPs — collaborations of VA programs and community organizations — play a key role in communicating these new benefits and services to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and community agencies.

“VHA recently announced its key health care priorities for Veterans — the top-level initiatives that deserve focused commitment and resources,” said Dr. Jamie Davis, HAP health system specialist and VCP collaborations lead. “Many of these priorities align with the PACT Act and aim to expand care for Veterans and their survivors.”

The PACT Act communication toolkit offers crucial communication resources that VA staff can use to educate themselves and Veterans.

What is included in the PACT Act Communication Toolkit?

The communication toolkit contains ready-made materials, information, and resources to help VA staff members understand the PACT Act and support Veterans. In addition to promotional materials, signage, and background materials, it also has presentations, brochures, and fact sheets that cover key factors included in the new law.

Helpful Resources to Share with Veterans

  • Inside the toolkit, there are helpful resources that address the expanded health care and eligibility benefits for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
  • VA has developed a library of PACT Act flyers, videos, and fact sheets to help Veterans understand what this new law means for them. 

Information about PACT Act-related Health Care and Benefits

  •  There are directions on when and how Veterans can apply for disability benefits for all the conditions outlined in the PACT Act, including many cancers and illnesses.
  •  Because surviving family members of Veterans may be eligible for benefits and VA care, the PACT Act toolkit also contains information on the expanded survivor care and benefits

Direction on How to Apply for PACT Act Benefits

  •  Applying for PACT Act benefits is free, and Veterans can work directly with VA or a Veteran Service Organization. The toolkit has directions on where Veterans and their survivors can go to apply for benefits.
  • It also covers details about the enhanced enrollment that is open to post-9/11 combat Veterans from Oct. 1, 2022, through Oct. 1, 2023.

Information on how to get Toxic Exposure Screenings

  •   As a part of the PACT Act, VA provides 5-minute toxic exposure screenings to all Veterans enrolled in VA health care. The toolkit has information on how to get these screenings, which help ensure that VA provides Veterans with the toxic exposure-related care and benefits they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  The documents that cover frequently asked questions are helpful to dispel myths and address many of the questions Veterans might have about applying for PACT Act benefits.

 

To get involved with your local VCP, visit https://www.va.gov/healthpartnerships/vcp.asp.

VA encourages all eligible Veterans and survivors to apply for their earned PACT Act-related health care and benefits. Veterans and survivors can apply or learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MYVA411.

 

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