The Sconi

Baldwin hosted roundtables to highlight law to boost benefits for veterans harmed by toxic exposure, visited Patriot K9s, and Wausau Police Department 

WISCONSIN – This week, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin kicked off her “Delivering for Our Veterans Tour” with roundtables in New Richmond and Wausau to discuss the Senator’s work to increase health care and disability benefits for Wisconsin veterans who have been harmed by toxic exposure while serving in the military. Senator Baldwin was joined by local veterans, their survivors, and advocates. Senator Baldwin also visited Patriot K9s of Wisconsin in Wausau to learn about their work to educate and train service dogs to help veterans manage mental health challenges. Baldwin also stopped by the Wausau Police Department to discuss local and federal partnerships that can help keep Wisconsin communities safe. 

“As a nation, state, and community, we have a commitment to do right by those who served our country. But sadly, for too long, we have come up short on our end of the bargain for our toxic-exposed veterans,” said Senator Baldwin. “After years of advocacy from veterans across the state, we got the job done for our veterans and are delivering long-overdue VA health care and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans. It was great to kick off this tour and hear from Wisconsin veterans firsthand as we work together to get the word out to other veterans that are owed these benefits.”

At the first roundtable in New Richmond, Senator Baldwin heard from western Wisconsin veterans about their health challenges due to exposure to toxins and how the Baldwin-supported Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 is delivering their overdue healthcare benefits. The PACT Act delivered generations of toxic-exposed veterans the health care and benefits they are owed by expanding and extending eligibility for VA health care to over 3.5 million toxic-exposed and post-9/11 combat veterans.

In Wausau, Senator Baldwin visited Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, an organization that educates and trains service dogs to help veterans combat mental health challenges. The dogs come at no cost to veterans.

In her second roundtable, Senator Baldwin met with local veterans and advocates to get the word out about the expanded health benefits for toxic-exposed veterans from the PACT Act. The Senator heard firsthand from veterans of all generations who were exposed to toxins in their service, their ongoing health challenges, and the struggle to get their earned healthcare prior to the passage of the PACT Act.

Senator Baldwin also visited the Wausau Police Department to learn about the unique challenges the community is facing and how the police department and federal government can better partner to keep Wausau safe. Senator Baldwin discussed her work to pass legislation to curb gun violence and invest in public safety initiatives, including support for mental health, body-worn cameras, police training, and rural law enforcement needs.

Senator Baldwin will continue her “Delivering for Our Veterans Tour” on Wednesday in Green Bay and Thursday in Racine.

Original source can be found here.