Sen. Sherrod Brown visits Tiffin AMVETS to discuss new PACT Act benefits for veterans

Tiffin, Ohio — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a roundtable on Friday to discuss health care and disability benefits for veterans who have been harmed by toxic exposure while serving in the military. The event was held at the AMVETS Post 48 in Tiffin, and was attended by veterans, their families, local officials, and advocates.

The discussion centered around Brown’s Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, which was signed into law by President Biden last year. The legislation is named after Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, a Central Ohio veteran who passed away in 2020 from lung cancer after exposure to burn pits during a one-year deployment in Iraq in 2006.

“This law is the most comprehensive expansion of benefits for veterans who faced toxic exposure in our country’s history,” said Brown. “We’re working to get the word out to veterans across Ohio. If you were exposed to toxins while serving our country, you deserve the benefits you earned. Period. No exceptions.”

Tara Balliet, Director of the Seneca County Veterans Service Office, commended Brown for his “boots on ground approach” and expressed her belief that the PACT Act will have a positive impact on veterans’ lives in the rural community and all over the United States.

“There is a definite increase in claims submission since the passing of the PACT Act. We are continuing our efforts to ensure all veterans receive the benefits they are due,” Balliet said.

The PACT Act is the result of a years-long fight by Brown, veterans, and advocates to secure access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care and disability benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxins. Brown is now working with Ohio veterans, their families, and advocates to bring additional attention to provisions in the PACT Act and urges all Ohio veterans and family members to visit www.va.gov/pact to find out more about how to claim benefits.

Northwest Ohio veterans who missed the open house can still access available resources by reaching out to the Seneca County Veterans Service Commission at 419-447-2885 or the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, texting 838255, or going to https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.