Tribal legislators encourage veterans to check new PACT Act

HELENA – State Representatives Sharon Peregoy, (Crow) and Rynalea Whiteman Pena, (Northern (Cheyenne) are working to bring more awareness to Native veterans in Montana and other areas about the passage of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D) MT.

They seek to inform as many Montana Native veterans and others from surrounding states about possible new VA benefits and health care. They are both members of the legislative MT Indian Caucus.

The PACT Act is a new historic law that recognizes toxic exposure as a “cost of war” by addressing the full range of issues impacting toxic-exposed Veterans, they explained.

Primary purposes of the new law are to:

Enable Veterans, survivors, and caregivers to apply for VA health care benefits for all conditions related to toxic exposure Claims processing will begin January 1, 2023.

Toxic-exposed veterans and survivors can apply for VA Health now. To apply find a free VA accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO). Call 1-800-MyVA411 or go to VA.gov/PACT

The duo also noted that Native American Veterans serve their country at a higher rate per capita than any other demographic and have done so for decades. However, generally those veterans utilize their earned benefits at the lowest rate of any ethnic group.

Peregoy explained that the PACT Act can have a significant reach in Montana, a state with one of the highest percentages of veterans per capita in America.

An estimated 66,000 Montana veterans were exposed to toxics during their military careers, according to VA statistics. Most incidents were related to burn pits.

Senator Tester, Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, authored the legislation to cover toxic exposure as a cost of war.  That legislation ran into stiff opposition because of associated and increased costs of Veterans health care, a development which disappointed the two tribal Montana lawmakers.

“Veterans sacrificed for us. Now it is time to sacrifice for them,” Peregoy and Whiteman stressed.

In discussing the problem, Peregoy told Native Sun News Today that instead of being supported for their service, every generation of veterans has had to fight for their benefits upon returning home. Rural veterans often have trouble accessing care because VA facilities in MT and other states such as SD are either far away or backlogged – or both, the problem often exacerbated for Native veterans. It can take several months to get an appointment which usually requires hours of travel, only to be seen by non-Native, non-veteran doctors, and therapists.

Whiteman Pena added “We need to provide our veterans with caring, experienced health professionals that are also veterans and/or Native Americans, who can relate to the patient’s situation and gain their trust.

Patients should be able to keep their doctors and have greater access to appropriate care at more convenient locations. Veteran care should also focus on improving mental health, expanding telehealth, and increasing outreach for rural veterans, especially Native vets who often live in remote rural areas.

We need to show them that good help is available that it is ok to reach out for help.”

Peregoy and Whiteman Pena concluded with a strong statement.  “We need to expand services to our Native and rural communities. To those veterans who were lucky enough to return home from their tours of duty, thank you for your service. Please take the first step in the VA health care you have earned and deserve.”

Peregoy can also be reached at s.peregoy53@gmail.com.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

The post Tribal legislators encourage veterans to check new PACT Act first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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