Lori Trahan: 1 year of promises kept with the PACT Act

“Keeping our promise.” That’s a phrase that gets used a lot in Washington — probably too much.

But last August, Congress finally passed a law to keep a long-overdue and important promise to a group of individuals who represent the very best of our nation — our veterans. When the difficult decision is made to send servicemembers into harm’s way, we make a promise to them and their families that we will do everything we can to ensure their safety, health, and well-being during their service abroad and upon their return home.

That promise was not being kept to the majority of veterans who were denied disability claims related to exposure to toxins during their service. Instead, veterans battling cancer, respiratory diseases, and other forms of illness — illnesses that were directly tied to their service — were forced to fight that fight without the support they needed from the federal government.

That’s unacceptable. Frankly, it’s disgraceful.

Thankfully, that finally changed when President Biden signed the Honoring our PACT Act into law last year. This was the single largest expansion of care from the Veterans Administration since World War II. It allowed for the more than 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to burn pits or toxins like Agent Orange to get the care they deserve.

I voted for this legislation, because there’s no cost too high in upholding our end of the bargain to veterans and servicemembers who sacrifice so much each day. But supporting our veterans cannot stop the passage of a new law. We need to make sure that every eligible veteran knows about the benefits and care available to them — and that they submit their claims as soon as possible.

Massachusetts alone is home to more than 285,000 veterans, and since the PACT Act was signed into law last year, folks across the Commonwealth have filed over 7,200 PACT Act claims. But we know there are plenty more veterans eligible for care. My office and I have done everything we can over the last year to connect our 3rd District veterans to the care they deserve, but we need help spreading the word.

And there’s no more pressing time than now. The one-year anniversary of the PACT Act comes with an important deadline. Claims submitted by Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 will be backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, so eligible veterans are encouraged to file their claims as soon as possible.

Of course, eligible veterans can always file a claim after this deadline, but getting the word out now is important so no one goes without the benefits or care they earned defending our nation.

So, if you or someone you know is eligible, you can find more information and file a claim at VA.gov/pact or by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) (TTY: 711). And always, if you are having trouble with the VA or any other federal agency, my team is also ready to help and can be reached at 978-459-0101.

No veteran should be forced to fight cancer, heart disease, or other service-related illnesses alone. They should have never had to wonder if the country they fought for would have their backs. With the PACT Act, we’re righting these wrongs, and we’re keeping our promise.

Lori Trahan is the U.S. representative for Massachusetts’ 3rd Congressional District. She was born and raised in Lowell.