Clinton tribal pact act event held, final push before 9 august deadline for 1-year backpay | va oklahoma city health care | veterans affairs

Clinton , OK — CLINTON — The Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System reminds Veterans and surviving spouses that the 9 August deadline for PACT Act and Toxic Exposure Screening is

quickly approaching. The Office of Tribal Government Relations, OKC VA and Muskogee Benefits Office partnered to provide the Clinton-area Tribal and non-Tribal Veterans, family members and

caregivers the opportunity to check VA eligibility, provide Toxic Exposure Screening, file claims, and finally get questions answered about VA healthcare and benefits.   On August 8, 2022,

President Biden signed into law, The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This law is one of the largest VA Health Care expansion programs and extends eligibility for Veterans

who have been exposed or possibly exposed to toxic environments while serving in Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. Over the last year, Indian Health Service (IHS) and The Department of

Veteran Affairs have partnered together, holding PACT Act outreach events across Oklahoma. This joint effort has assisted Tribal, non-Tribal Veterans, and Veterans in rural areas to receive

healthcare services, education, and other benefits they deserve.  The PACT Act event in Clinton rounded out the first year of the PACT Act resources, allowing Veterans another opportunity

to file toxic exposure claims and possibly receive retroactive benefits going back to August 8th, 2022—when the law was first passed. The event was hosted by the Cheyenne & Arapaho

Tribes, in Clinton. Twenty-five Veterans were able to check eligibility, get VA ID Cards, get toxic exposure screening (TES), disability claims, and assisted Veterans and families with

questions regarding eligibility and health care. After the deadline date, Veterans can still get TES and file for PACT Act claims, but they have until August 8, 2023, to file under the

current PACT Act resources, to receive retroactive benefits.   “We continue to see rural and tribal Veterans struggle with access to adequate technology, as well as travel,” said Katrina

Yocum, USA Veteran and Oklahoma City VA, Congressional Liaison. “So, when we hold these events (outside of the metro), it doesn’t matter if we see one hundred or one, if those who come in

are able to be taken care of, that is all that matters. These types of events are unique to Oklahoma, as we are the only state holding events like this.”  While the numbers at some events

might seem low to some people, the goal is to enable Veterans access—plain and simple. “We usually see an average of thirty to fifty Veterans at our IHS events, with Lawton being our biggest

event where we reached one hundred and forty-eight Veterans,” said Mary Culley, USAF Veteran and Tribal Relations Specialist. “The numbers seem to be influenced by the location of the

events and access to solid internet connection. Good staff with positive attitudes are what keep Veterans coming out and spreading the word (of the events). It is my hope the Directors of

both the IHS and the VA will continue holding events, pass the one-year anniversary.”   These events while hosted by IHS and the VA, are not specifically for just Tribal Veterans, any

Veteran who can make it out, can attend and get the help they need. “I was told about the events from my sister and have told my friends about them as well,” said Doug Milligan, USAF

Veteran, Cheyanne, and Arapaho Tribe. “This is my second event to attend, and both times I have had my questions answered and have received help not only on my claims, but my medical access

as well. I am glad these events are being held and where anyone can come out and get help. I just hope they continue to have them.” The goal of the events is to give the Veterans all the

resources they might need, in one location. The idea is to have a “one-stop-shop” for anything and everything a Veteran might need. “This is my second event, first one hosting,” said Natasha

Flurry, Chief Nurse Executive for HIS, Choctaw Tribe. “What I have noticed is there is an immediate need to assist our tribal Veterans with not only the cultural impact of their military

service, but the issues they face from their military service as well. Both of those pieces of the puzzle need to fit together for them to have a successful life.”   “The Governor and I want

all Veterans to know that we praise all Warriors, not just our Tribe’s Warriors,” said Gilbert (Gill) Miles, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Tribes Lieutenant Governor. “The reason you deserve these

VA benefits is because of your service, you have earned that right. We encourage all Veterans to come out to these events and find out what you may be eligible for. You never know until you

ask the right people the right questions and they are here today ready to answer your questions and concerns.”    While the first year of the PACT Act is ending, there will be future talks

and discussions regarding the continuation of these types of events, with hopes that other states will implement their own programs and hold events with community partners as well.  This

December, a meeting will be held to discuss the future of the PACT Act, with cooperation between the OKC VAMC, Eastern OK VAMC, Muskogee Regional Office, Oklahoma Department of Veteran

Affairs, IHS, and the Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR).        ###  For more information about OKC VA HCS PACT Act information, visit the below link:  https://www.va.gov/PACT/ 

Intent to File Claim Form link below:  vba-21-0966-are.pdf (va.gov)