VA New York Harbor Healthcare System hosts enrollment events for the new PACT Act

The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn its and other toxic substances.

“This historic new law expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances,” Interim Medical Center Director Bruce Tucker said. “We want to make sure every Veteran in New York City who might be newly eligible receives the care and benefits they deserve.”

Events will be held at the following locations:

Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Medical Center in Manhattan

423 East 23rd Street

Monday, December 12th, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Brooklyn VA Medical Center

800 Poly Place, Brooklyn

Wednesday, December 14th, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Learn more at VA.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411).

 

Information about the PACT Act:

The PACT Act empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. The legislation:

· Extends the eligibility period for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001, and are toxic-exposed veterans, including those who did not enroll to receive VA care during the eligibility period.

· Adds more than twenty new presumptive conditions for burn pit and other toxic exposures.

· Adds more presumptive locations for Agent Orange and radiation exposure,

· Provides toxic exposure screenings to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care, and

· Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.

The expanded health care eligibility outlined in the law now allows new cohorts of Veterans to become eligible for VA care or increases health care benefits for impacted Veterans already receiving care.

The expanded health care eligibility will be phased in over time based on requirements set forth in the law. The PACT Act requires VHA to conduct outreach to notify these Veterans of their eligibility for hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care, as well as provide information to Veterans on illnesses that may be related to toxic exposures and respective benefits and support programs.
 

Background on the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System:

The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System (VAMC) is proud to offer hospital-based and outpatient care to Veterans across four out of the five boroughs of New York City. Harbor consists of two tertiary care medical centers located in the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, a Community Living Center located in the borough of Queens, and two community-based clinics located in Manhattan and Staten Island. With a complexity designation of 1A, Harbor is one of the largest, most sophisticated VA healthcare systems in the country.

 

Michael A. Drake, Public Affairs Officer

Phone: