Luján Fights to Extend Veteran’s Enrollment Deadline Under the PACT Act 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging an extension of the enrollment period deadline for veterans applying to retrieve retroactive benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act. Last year, the historic PACT Act was signed into law to provide 3.5 million veterans with health care coverage for treating toxin-exposure-related health injuries— marking the VA’s most expansive health care benefits package. 

Following the PACT Act’s enactment, open enrollment has allowed veterans to file claims seeking coverage. While there is no formal end date to apply, veterans who file before August 9th, 2023, may receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. As a result, the deadline has raised concerns from Veterans, primarily elderly and rural veterans who are unaware and potentially miss out on coverage. This letter urges the VA to reconsider the enrollment period deadline for retroactive benefits to ensure all veterans receive their well-deserved health coverage in a timely manner. 

“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,” wrote Senator Luján.

“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,” wrote Senator Luján.

The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.

Dear Secretary McDonough,

As the first anniversary of the historic Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act approaches, I am writing to request that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) act to extend the enrollment deadline for veterans applying to receive retroactive healthcare benefits under thePACT Act. While there is no formal date for veterans to apply by to receive these benefits, veterans who file claims on or before August 9^th, 2023 may receive benefits retroactive to the date of August 20^th, 2022.^[1] 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.

New Mexico has a long story of serving our country in uniform with bravery and distinction. I am committed to ensuring that each of the more 150,000 veterans living in the state of New Mexico has access to high-quality healthcare and opportunities to thrive when they return to civilian life. In our rural areas, which is home to over 47,000 veterans, the ongoing challenges of limited broadband internet access has made it difficult for outreach to reach these communities. ^[2] Additionally, according to the VA, 55% of VA-enrolled rural veterans are 65 or older and 44% of enrolled rural veterans earn an annual income of less than $35,000^[3]. 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.

Our nation’s veterans deserve the highest level of care, I am committed to supporting New Mexico’s veterans and working with the Biden Administration on implementing the efforts of this critical legislation that provides 3.5 million veterans health care coverage. I urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to extend the August 9^th, 2023 deadline so every veterans has the opportunity to apply for their PACT Act benefits and receive retroactive compensation for the past year.

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