Rockville, MD – In celebration of Veterans Day and in honor of veterans in Maryland's Eighth Congressional District and around the country, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) convened a forum of leading Veterans Affairs (V.A.) officials to share information about new coverage available to veterans because of the PACT Act, which expands V.A. health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Rep. Raskin advocated and voted to pass this landmark legislation earlier this year, and President Biden signed it into law in August.

Rep. Raskin invited Antione Waller, Director of the Baltimore Regional Office of the U.S. Veterans Benefits Administration, and Michael Heimall, Director of the Washington D.C. V.A. Medical Center, to provide veterans with an update on how the PACT Act affects their benefits and to offer them advice on how to apply for the new health care options.

“We’ve been fighting for our veterans to receive quality medical care, and with the PACT Act signed into law, we can now provide veterans who have been to exposed to toxic chemicals with critical treatment,” said Rep. Raskin. “The men and women who fought for our country and defended democracy at home and abroad deserve the best care we have. I’m thrilled that Director Waller and Director Heimall could join me to share key information and resources with the people of the Eighth District.”

For more information on the PACT Act, visit va.gov/PACT.

To apply for V.A. health care, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction.

To file a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claim, visit https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/introduction.

Reach the 24-hour V.A. hotline at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).

To reach the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, visit https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp.

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