President Joe Biden offers the pen he used to signal the “PACT Act of 2022” to Brielle Robinson, daughter of Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, who died of most cancers two years in the past, throughout a ceremony within the East Room of the White Home on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Washington. Evan Vucci, Related Press
President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act on Wednesday, securing well being care advantages for veterans uncovered to poisonous chemical compounds from burn pits after 9/11.
Why it issues: This comes after months of twists and turns on Capitol Hill. When the invoice was first offered to the Senate in June, it handed with overwhelming assist. Because of slight modifications to the textual content of the invoice, a second vote was required. Throughout the second vote in July, round two dozen Republicans modified their minds, blocking the invoice. Their reversal was perceived as retaliation in opposition to Senate Democrats, who a number of days earlier had reached a deal to go the Inflation Discount Act.
Senate Republicans got here below harsh criticism for blocking the invoice. Even comic and former present host John Stewart chimed in, calling the choice merciless and slamming the Republicans who opposed it.
Within the third vote on Aug. 2, the Senate handed the act 86 to 11, sending the invoice to the president’s desk, based on NPR.
What is going to the PACT Act do? The PACT Act — brief for “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Deal with Complete Toxics Act” — will enhance entry to well being care providers below Veterans Affairs for qualifying veterans. Based on a reality sheet from the White Home, It is going to:
- Prolong the time interval to enroll in VA well being care advantages from 5 to 10 years for post-9/11 veterans.
- Make proving publicity to chemical compounds throughout service simpler by way of an impartial analysis course of.
- Present computerized care to veterans recognized with sure medical circumstances and scale back paperwork and testing.
- Conduct new research of veterans’ well being tendencies submit Sept. 11 and of those that served in Southwest Asia in the course of the Gulf Conflict.
- Present common well being screenings for veterans.
- Improve well being assist general with extra clinics and amenities.
Key quote: “We owe you,” Biden informed veterans after signing the invoice, per The Related Press. “You’re the spine. You’re the metal. You’re the sinew. You’re the very fiber that makes this nation what it's.”