MILWAUKEE — Tuesday is a big day for veterans across the country and in Wisconsin as veteran benefits begin expanding.

March 5, 2024 marks the first day of one of the largest expansions in VA health care for veterans across the country.

In 2022, the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act, or PACT Act, was signed into law.

The PACT Act allows all toxic-exposed veterans to become eligible for VA care.

Starting on March 5, veterans with toxic exposure from the Vietnam War, Gulf War and post-September 11th era, will now be covered.

The VA laid out which specific groups qualify for this historic expansion in coverage:

• Cohort 1: Veterans who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA), as defined by law, while serving on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty training 
• Cohort 2: Veterans who were assigned to a duty station in (including airspace above) certain locations during specific periods of time:
      On or after Aug. 2, 1990, in the following countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia or the United Arab Emirates
      On or after Sept. 11, 2001, in the following countries: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan or any other country determined relevant by VA. (Note: VA has not determined any other country relevant at this time)
• Cohort 3: Veterans who were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support Mission. 

This large scale growth in patient coverage is something the Milwaukee VA has been preparing for, according to Taylor Briggs, the Milwaukee VA's benefits program manager. 

(Spectrum News 1/Megan Marshall)

“We’ve been doing a lot of training,” said Briggs. “A lot of training has been pushed out from the national office to ensure that our enrollment and eligibility staff are ready to perform the necessary tasks for veterans who identify as having a toxic exposure.”

The Milwaukee VA estimated anywhere from 30,000 to 75,000  additional veterans in Wisconsin could be impacted with this coverage expansion.

This expansion is happening much earlier than expected. It was originally slated to begin closer to 2032. Briggs said this is important because it allows veterans quicker access to care.

“With any type of exposure to toxic materials, the effects of that begin now,” said Briggs. “So waiting any longer might result in some adverse effect.”

This historic expansion is something providers and staff at the Milwaukee VA are looking forward to.

“Ultimately, the goal of serving more veterans is our paramount mission and I think we are just one step closer to doing that.” Briggs said.

For more information on the PACT Act, click here.