The PACT act and VA Benefits for veterans in DE
DOVER, De. – Veteran and U.S. Senator of Delaware Tom Carper says veteran health care has been a primary focus since he moved here after the Vietnam War.
Senator Carper now advancing benefits for millions of veterans across the country with legislation like the PACT act, passed by president Biden last year.
Lawmakers say that Delaware has come a long way in terms of the support that it offers veterans returning home from overseas, and as you can see behind me, this is one of many of the outpatient clinics that any veteran can visit across the First State.
“We now have not one, but two community based outpatient clinics up and down the state,” U.S. Senator Carper said. “We have VA medical facilities in every county.”
“I encourage any veteran who served in Vietnam, who served post 911 or in Gulf War to apply for the VA benefits and also take a look and sign up for VA health care.”
Tanya Bradsher, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs “encourages any veteran who served in Vietnam, who served post 911 or in Gulf War to apply for the VA benefits, and also take a look and sign up for VA health care.”
Delaware’s Senior U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Veterans Affairs officials met at a VA Outpatient clinic to raise awareness of the benefits offered to Veterans, specifically a bill for veterans who have certain disabilities as a result of their military service , otherwise known as “presumptives.”
“A piece of legislation signed by President Biden called the Pact Act and it is designed especially for those who served in the afghan and were exposed to toxic fumes during the war and a lot of our veterans, our GIs, were,” U.S. Senator Carper said.
Bradsher says the pact act provides twenty-two presumptives, that are absolutely groundbreaking and expands healthcare that we previously have not done. It is our greatest expansion of benefits.
Bradsher also says that the VA wants to provide more support to Veterans struggling with PTSD and Mental health related issues. She says that any veteran in need of emotional support should not hesitate to reach out.
“Any veterans that are going through a crisis, especially our veterans who are in suicidal crisis, first and foremost, they can go to any ER.”
“I want to make sure, any family members and veterans know that if they are in crisis, they can go to any ER and the VA will pick up that Bill.”
Struggling veterans can also call 988 and press one in the case of a mental health crisis or visit va.gov/reach for additional mental health resources for veterans and family members who need assistance.
