U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) penned a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs on Aug. 4, urging the extension of the enrollment period deadline for veterans applying for retroactive benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act. This initiative aims to provide greater access to benefits for veterans, according to a press release.
"In our rural areas, which are home to over 47,000 veterans, the ongoing challenges of limited broadband internet access has made it difficult for outreach to reach these communities," Luján said.
Since the enactment of the PACT Act, veterans have been able to participate in open enrollment to submit claims for coverage. Although there is no specified final application date, veterans who apply before Aug. 9 might secure benefits retroactively from Aug. 10, 2022. However, this deadline has raised apprehensions among veterans, particularly those who are elderly or reside in rural areas, as they might be unaware and potentially miss out on the opportunity for coverage, according to the release.
“Given the VA’s role as one of our nation’s largest health care providers, it is vital they provide an extension of enrollment benefits to ensure our veterans have the accessibility to file a claim,” Luján said in the release.
The PACT Act was signed into law last year, an initiative aimed at offering health care coverage to 3.5 million veterans who have endured health injuries attributable to toxin exposure. This legislation marks a watershed moment in the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts, constituting its most expansive health care benefits package. The letter to the VA calls for a reconsideration of the enrollment period deadline for retroactive benefits, with the aim of ensuring that all veterans, irrespective of their circumstances, receive health coverage, the release stated.
"Although the VA has promoted outreach to make sure veterans are applying, I’ve heard from a number of elderly and rural veterans that were unaware of the upcoming deadline. Therefore, the VA must reconsider the enrollment period deadline for retroactive benefits to ensure our elderly and rural veterans are not left behind," Luján said.