Impact'ing Veteran Care: The PACT Act for Primary Care

The PACT Act was passed by Congress in August, 2022 and has expanded benefits to Veterans affected by toxic exposures during military service. It is important that all providers recognize common medical conditions that are presumptively caused by military toxic exposures because many of these conditions are frequently seen in day-to-day practice. For example, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer are all presumptive conditions caused by Agent Orange. Asking all patients about military service, and exposures during their service, is key. Attendees will learn how to refer Veterans who have military toxic exposures to the Environmental Health Registry Evaluation and to the VA for their disability claim.