Healthcare expanded for veterans, reports Rep. Spanberger

In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran healthcare, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service — whether at home or abroad — are now eligible to enroll directly in VA healthcare, according to US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who represents part of the Prince William County area.

Spanberger said, “The bipartisan Honoring Our PACT Act — which I proudly voted to pass and President Biden signed into law in 2022 — expanded VA healthcare eligibility to millions of Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. With this announcement, all Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances will now be eligible to enroll directly in VA healthcare without first applying for VA benefits. Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll. :

More Information on Eligibility
This expansion of VA healthcare eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the Honoring Our PACT Act — meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA healthcare up to eight years earlier than written into law.
While there is no deadline to apply for these benefits, Veterans and their survivors should submit an intent to file as soon as possible to make sure you are not missing out on potential benefits.

Submit Your Intent to File
For more information about how the Honoring Our PACT Act is delivering for Veterans and their survivors, visit the VA’s PACT Act Toolkit. To apply for care or benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411.

If you have more questions about this process, please reach out to my office at (703) 987-2180 or at spanberger.house.gov/agencies. We are always here to help you.