veterans-issues

PACT Act in one year aided 340,000 ailing veterans and survivors, Biden says

BY: - August 11, 2023

WASHINGTON — One of the “most significant laws ever signed to help veterans” has already assisted over 340,000 former service members and their survivors seeking care for illnesses and cancers now presumed to be connected to open burn pits and other toxins, President Joe Biden said in Utah on Thursday as he marked one year […]

Pa. Rep. Deluzio celebrates budget protections for veterans’ healthcare

BY: - June 13, 2023

'We veterans also know and keep a watchful eye on those who utilize us as bargaining chips,' veteran Craig Romanovich said.

Dems hit Pa.’s Perry, Fitzpatrick over debt ceiling vote, vets funding | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 30, 2023

A U.S. House vote on a debt ceiling bill could come as soon as Wednesday.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-17th District (Capital-Star file).

Pa. Rep. Deluzio makes moves to help veterans with bill, new advisory council

BY: - May 23, 2023

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio has announced the formation of a new advisory council to assist him on veterans’ related issues. 

Area veterans spend the day together, touring the monuments in Washington, D.C., during a trip sponsored by Honor Flight Pittsburgh. The 100% volunteer nonprofit, founded in Pittsburgh in 2016, is part of a national organization that began in 2005 (Herald-Standard photo).

Honor Flight Pittsburgh: Serving veterans in a meaningful way | Helping the Helpers

BY: - December 21, 2022

Twice a year, the nonprofit takes veterans to Washington D.C. to visit monuments and share their experiences.

VA to host town halls nationwide and Pa., for vets exposed to toxic substances  

BY: - December 6, 2022

More than 90 VA facilities around the country, including sites in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, are slated to hold in-person sessions.

Brielle Robinson, daughter of the late Army Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, joins veterans advocacy groups, activists, politicians and fellow victims’ families during a news conference about military burn pits legislation outside the U.S. Capitol on March 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. President Biden has said burn pits — which incinerated medical and hazard material, jet fuel and other substances — were one of the many dangers U.S. soldiers faced during deployments. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Thousands of veterans deluge VA with claims for toxic exposure benefits, health care

BY: - November 28, 2022

The VA is hiring more employees to provide health care and process applications. But a short-term backlog still is expected.

Members of American Legion Post 21 in Philadelphia speak with City Coucilmember Kenyatta Johnson (Philadelphia Tribune photo).

Already a community pillar, Philly American Legion post looks to its next century of service

BY: - September 26, 2022

Leaders are using a $100,000 city council grant to refurbish the post at 6400 Paschall Ave. in southwest Philadelphia.

New fight opens in Congress over VA policy that sidesteps state abortion bans

BY: - September 11, 2022

Republicans have sharply criticized the VA for changing its longstanding no-abortions policy, with some pledging to keep the status quo.

COMMENTARY
President Joe Biden applauds Brielle Robinson, daughter of the late Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, after signing the PACT Act on Aug. 10, 2022. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Law providing health care to burn pit victims ends a decades-old injustice | Opinion

BY: - August 19, 2022

Most important, the PACT Act removes the burden of proof and gives veterans the benefit of doubt at a time of desperate need.

U.S. Senate in turnaround backs aid for veterans exposed to burn pits

BY: and - August 2, 2022

The shift came after days of protest and vigils outside the U.S. Capitol, in heat and rain, by veterans outraged at the delay in passage of the $280 billion measure due to objections from Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey. Veterans advocacy groups were intensely critical of the delay as well.

U.S. Senate fails to advance burn pits bill for veterans in dispute over spending

BY: - July 28, 2022

Some members had objected because the federal government would pay for the bill’s $278.5B cost through mandatory rather than discretionary spending.