Saunders: The PACT Act finally recognizes the plight of veterans exposed to toxic substances, ensuring they have access to health care

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement on passage of the PACT Act of 2022:

“During perilous times, our nation’s veterans have answered the call, risking their lives for our freedom. These heroes, many of whom are AFSCME members, deserve our deepest gratitude and respect for their service. With passage of the PACT Act, we will finally help more than 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service by ensuring they have access to the health care they deserve. Not only does this bill remove obstacles to treatment and disability compensation for veterans, it also sets up a process to identify the presence of environmental hazards and toxic substances. Our thoughts go out to service members and their families who have been affected, and AFSCME will never quit fighting for the health and safety of our veterans."