Soto, Orlando VA Healthcare System Director Cooke, Regional Veterans Benefits Administration Director Boor Hold Town Hall at Orlando VA to Discuss PACT Act and Other Benefits
The PACT Act has already helped over 130,000 veterans across Florida receive over $770 million in benefits
ORLANDO, FL — On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) was joined by Orlando VA Healthcare System Director Timothy J. Cooke and St. Petersburg Regional Veterans Benefits Administration Director Julianna Boor for a town hall at the Lake Nona VA Hospital. At this event, veterans were informed about the benefits of the PACT Act which was passed into law during the 117th Congress.
The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The law adds to the list of health conditions that are presumed to be caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps our nation provide generations of veterans — and their survivors — with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
“We are honored to serve those who served. That is why we supported and passed the PACT Act prioritizing the health of veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins, and why we will always support the work of the best VA hospital in the nation right here in Lake Nona. There are always ways we can continue perfecting our service to the over 80,000 veterans in Orange and Osceola Counties,” said Congressman Soto. “I am happy to be joined by Orlando VA Healthcare System Director Timothy J. Cooke and St. Petersburg Regional Veterans Benefits Administration Director Julianna Boor to talk with local veterans and learn about how we can better serve them.”
At the event, Director Boor announced that over 300,000 PACT Act claims have been filed in Florida since President Biden signed the law, and over 130,000 of those claims have already been completed — granting over $770,000,000 in benefits to veterans and their families. The Lake Nona VA hospital also offers PACT Act clinics. This allows veterans to access outreach services, toxic exposure screenings, and file claims.
“We sincerely appreciate the support from our congressional partners in hosting the Veterans Town Hall event,” said Director Cooke. “Veterans were provided with important resources and information about hiring initiatives, PACT Act, access to care, suicide prevention efforts, and more. The collaboration between the Orlando VA Healthcare System, the St. Petersburg VA Regional (VBA) Office, and Congressman Darren Soto’s office made the event seamless, and we are ecstatic over the overall turnout. We look forward to hosting similar events in the near future.”
Click here to watch the live stream of the event.
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