MONTICELLO, NY — “This legislation corrects all the wrongs of the past,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand during introductory remarks to veterans assembled at a press conference on March 17 at the Sullivan County Veterans Affairs Clinic.

The press conference highlighted the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022.

The legislation was named in honor of Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, a veteran of the Ohio National Guard who died in 2020 after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Robinson served in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2006 to 2007 and, like thousands of fellow vets, was exposed to toxic fumes from burn pits across the Middle Eastern war zones. 

Gillibrand introduced her bill, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act, in September 2020, with support of a bipartisan group, including a coalition of veteran-service organizations.

“The PACT Act includes Senator Gillibrand’s signature legislation to establish a presumptive service connection to certain illness for service members and veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins, eliminating many obstacles they have to go through to receive crucial health care and benefits,” a press release issued by Gillibrand’s office read. It noted that an estimated 3.5 million U.S. military service personnel could have been exposed to burn pits, and are now eligible to receive health benefits from the VA.

“Any service member, any veteran who has been exposed to any kind of toxin is now covered under this legislation,” said Gillibrand, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

She noted that the exposure to toxins overseas is “very similar to the toxins that were created when the towers fell,” a reference to the attacks of September 11, 2001. By extension, that could include the effects of Agent Orange on service members during the Vietnam War as part of Operation Ranch Hand from 1961 to 1971.

Joining Gillibrand were Sullivan County Acting District Attorney Brian Conaty, Village of Monticello Mayor George Nikolados, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Rep. Marc Molinaro and Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek.

“As a grateful nation, we have a solemn duty to care for our veterans and provide then with the support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives… these brave men and women put their lives on the line to defend our freedom, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and assistance they need to cope with the long-term effects of their service,” said Molinaro (R-19).

“The PACT Act has had an immediate and profound impact on our local veterans, with our veterans service agency having already assisted in the filing of 47 claims to date,” said legislature veterans committee chair and District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez. 

In closing, Gillibrand said to vets seeking help from the VA in the wake of the enactment of PACT Act, “We can work on your behalf… apply again, and if anyone denies you, call me!”