100,000 More Minnesota Veterans Eligible For Toxin-related Health Care Benefits

Washington, D.C. — The largest expansion of VA Health benefits ever  took effect on March 1 and it could benefit more than 100,000 veterans in Minnesota.

In the past, the PACT Act covered only veterans who were exposed to toxins from burn pits in specific locations. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar worked to expand veterans eligible for the benefits beyond the 8,000 Minnesota vets who had qualified under the original PACT Act.

With the new “Honoring our PACT Act,” Klobuchar says as many as 118 thousand Minnesota veterans will now be eligible to receive VA health care.  Veterans who served at home or abroad and were exposed to any kind of toxins are eligible for the VA health benefits.

One Minnesota veteran, Jerald Starks, was diagnosed with AML an aggressive blood cancer. He had been deployed in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War where burn pits were common.

That cancer took his life just two and a half weeks ago.

His mother had pressed Jerald to sign up for PACT, and thankfully he did.  Marie Holm said, “When I heard about the PACT Act early last spring I immediately told him that he needed to register, that he was eligible, that it applied to him, and initially he was reluctant, he didn’t need it right away, but being mom,  he did it.”

Stark’s brother Andy and Jerald’s wife Michelle, want all veterans to know about the benefits change that will greatly impact them.

“If I could just say one thing to every veteran out there, just sign up,” said Andy Starks.

Jerald‘s wife Michelle said “I just implore you to take steps right now to see if you qualify. Enroll in this because you have earned this care by serving your country. It could help save your life and it could help your family. ”

To enroll for the expanded PACT Act:

Online www. VA.gov/pact

Call   877-222-VETS (8387)