President Joe Biden and Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox celebrated the one-year anniversary of a significant expansion of veterans benefits with a visit to the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City. The visit aimed to highlight the bipartisan PACT Act, a law that aims to enhance healthcare and disability compensation for veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Department of Veterans Affairs also announced an extension of the deadline to file for PACT Act benefits until August 14th, 11:59 p.m. ET. This move allows more veterans to access the benefits provided by the law.
Since the expansion of benefits, over 348,000 veterans have had their claims approved, and around 111,000 veterans believed to have been exposed to toxic substances have enrolled in health care. This achievement has pleased advocates, but it has also put pressure on the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is working to handle the influx of applications by adding more staff. The backlog of disability claims, which currently stands at about 266,000, is expected to increase to 730,000 by April.
For President Biden, the issue of veterans’ care is deeply personal. He has long believed that his son Beau’s fatal brain cancer was caused by exposure to burn pits during his overseas service in the Delaware National Guard. This personal connection underscores the importance of improving healthcare and compensations for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances.
Throughout his three-state western trip, President Biden has focused on celebrating achievements from his first term while also engaging in campaign fundraisers. Both Biden and Governor Cox have emphasized the importance of finding common ground by working across party lines.
During his visit to Utah, Biden faced a disturbing incident as FBI agents fatally shot a man suspected of threatening to kill the president. The shooting took place in Provo, just hours before Biden’s arrival in the state. The suspect had made threats against Biden online after hearing about his visit to Utah.
As Biden concludes his visit to Utah, he continues to promote his economic policies and clean energy initiatives as he seeks a second term in office. The president’s efforts to create new jobs and lower inflation through tax credits for clean energy play a central role in his re-election campaign.
Overall, the one-year anniversary of the landmark veterans benefit expansion has provided an opportunity for President Biden and Governor Cox to showcase their commitment to improving veterans’ care. While the expansion has brought about positive changes, it has also presented challenges for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Regardless, the focus on veterans’ health and well-being remains a top priority for the Biden administration.
