Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) hosted a PACT Act Roundtable featuring Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Mark Takano.
Rep. Omar, Rep. Takano, Sen. Tina Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar discussed the benefits of the PACT Act - a law that expanded medical for exposure to toxic chemicals and burn pits to veterans.
On Aug. 2nd in St. Paul, Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) hosted a round-table that focused on the PACT Act featuring Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Tina Smith, and Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Few government programs touch the lives of more veterans than the PACT Act — the VA paid $6 billon in benefits to more than 1 million active and former service members according to VA PACT Act Performance Dashboard's latest report.
Also in attendance were members of local veteran organizations throughout the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota. Despite the historic expansion of health benefits that cover exposure to burn pits and other toxic chemicals, some are concerned that the law is susceptible to scams from third party proprietary companies that needlessly charge for benefit claims.
Kurt Ellefson, Polk County Veteran, Officer who manages County Veterans Service Officer (CVSOs) is calling on Rep. Takano specifically to support the CVSO Act.
“My County Veteran Service Officers are the boots on the ground in Minnesota, throughout the state that are working with veterans in getting access to the PACT Act,” said Ellefson. “My CVSOs are overwhelmed.” I would also advocate for the CVSO Act.”
“We are also keenly aware in watching out for claim sharks, through this whole process,” said Ellefson.“We're also helping protect our veterans as they go through this process.”
The Veterans Benefits Services Disclosure Notice is a Minnesota state law that notifies service members and veterans that they are eligible for services at no cost from “federally chartered Veterans.” Charging fees when applying for benefits, a practice known as claim-sharking, carried a $1,000 civil penalty.
“MDVA is optimistic that this new law will help to create increased awareness among Veterans, their dependents and their survivors. There is a statewide network of advocates out there to assist them in obtaining the benefits and services they have earned - at no cost,” Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Brad Lindsay said in a state press release. “We urge Veterans to consider these cost free resources before paying for services.”
“Is the law enacted?”, Rep. Takano asked about the disclosure law.
“Our disclosure law that we have in Minnesota which helps to identify these claim sharks, we had it in effect since 2017. It's just never been enforced.”
“We started enforcement action,” Ellefson said. “We actually got our first five cases that our assistant attorney general-”
Rep. Takano interrupted Ellefson saying, “The problem is in Washington were stymied,” for financial reasons.
“Here's the thing it is illegal,” Takano said. “But there's no penalty at the federal level. I'll tell you in California they kind of gummed it up the state legislature too.”
“So anything you can do under consumer protection. That will be so important,” Takano recommended before Ellefson affirmed saying, “That's what we've done. That's exactly what we've done congressman.
“I guess here in Minnesota you don't believe in feeding the sharks,” Takano said.
“Well, unfortunately congressmen it still happens. I just got a message from my CVSO about an elderly woman in her late 80s, her husband just passed away and there's claim sharks on her for burial benefits right away,” Ellefson said emphatically, clapping his hands. ““It happens all the time.”
“Again I want to advocate for the CVSO Act”, Ellefson.
“My CVSOs are one of the few county employees that do work on behalf of the federal government that aren't funded by the federal government,” Ellefson said.
On July 9th, Omar posted “Two years ago, we passed the PACT Act – a game-changer for our veterans facing severe health issues due to toxic exposures,” on the social networking platform formerly known as Twitter. “If you're a veteran or know one, please check eligibility at http://va.gov/pact. Let's get veterans the care they've earned and deserve.”
“Under the PACT Act , all toxic exposed veterans were supposed to become eligible for VA care in increments,” said Angie Vasquez, Deputy Director of Health Administration Service (HSA) in Minneapolis. “That was supposed to happen between now and 2032.”
“We were able to increase all of to happen all instantaneously,” Vasquez said about the implementation of the PACT Act.
As an example Vasquez said, “ Let's say you went and served in combat. It was very clear you covered for that combat episode.”
Open burn pits, smoke and fumes from toxic pollutants, airborne toxic chemicals from pesticides are now expanded to areas outside combat Vasquez said.
“PACT Act opens it to a lot of other toxic exposure areas. Previous to the PACT Act, Kuwait, a lot of veterans gone to Kuwait for training. But it was never looked at as a combat zone but there's a lot of toxic exposure there” Vasquez said.