Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, pressed Department of Veterans Affairs Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits Margarita Devlin for increased transparency regarding changes to toxic exposure-related benefits during a committee hearing on April 29. The discussion centered around the need to better inform veterans about updates to presumptive conditions under the PACT Act and to ensure they are aware of how these changes may affect their benefits.
The topic is significant because many veterans rely on clear communication from the Department of Veterans Affairs about their eligibility for health care and other support programs. The committee has played a key role in improving access to VA health care and supporting veterans' transitions back into civilian life, according to the official website.
During the hearing, Blumenthal said: “Ms. Devlin, my Presumptive CLARITY Act requires the VA to publish information about conditions and cohorts it is considering for the purpose of removing toxic exposure-related benefits. It requires VA to educate veterans on how to participate in the PACT Act, which I found is desperately necessary, because not enough veterans are aware of it. Do you agree that the VA should provide transparent and proactive notification when it makes significant changes to presumptive benefits and notify more veterans about the PACT Act?”
Devlin responded that changes are currently published in the Federal Register. Blumenthal replied: “With all due respect, I don't know too many veterans who read the Federal Register on a regular basis. Can’t more be done?” Jennifer Goodale from Military Officers Association of America also supported greater transparency: “…[T]here are not a lot of veterans that are consistently check[ing] the federal register. We agree there has got to be a better way to share a very clear outlook of what’s being considered, what cohorts and conditions, when it comes to presumptives.”
Blumenthal introduced his Presumptive CLARITY Act in November with aims for a public-facing website where toxic-exposed veterans can learn which conditions or exposures may be added or removed as presumptives—and how they can provide input—since no consolidated site currently exists at VA.
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee oversees benefits, health care, and related programs nationwide as part of its jurisdiction over veteran affairs throughout the United States according to its official website. The committee maintains offices within the U.S. Capitol complex according to its official website and collaborates with entities such as Department of Veterans Affairs according to its official website. Jerry Moran serves as chairman while Richard Blumenthal holds his position as ranking member according to its official website.
Looking ahead during remarks at this hearing, Blumenthal also called attention toward advancing bipartisan legislation like Major Richard Star Act aimed at delivering full military benefits for combat-injured veterans—a measure he described as overdue justice.
