U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) delivered her remarks regarding the PACT Act during the New Hampshire Disabled American Veterans Conference on June 9. (Telegraph Photo by Christopher Roberson)

NASHUA – U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) recently went before the New Hampshire Disabled American Veterans Conference to announce that nearly one year has passed since the PACT Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

During that time, more than 2,000 veterans, in New Hampshire alone, have filed claims under the PACT Act. The law is ultimately expected to provide benefits to 5 million veterans nationwide.

Spearheaded by Hassan, the purpose of the law is to enhance benefits and services to military veterans who are suffering from health conditions caused by exposure to toxins. Hassan currently serves on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“Our service members here in New Hampshire have risked everything for their country,” she said during the June 9 conference. “We can ensure that no service member is ever forgotten.”

The law was created in memory of Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson who passed away in 2020 following a three-year battle with lung cancer. Prior to his death, Robinson said the cancer was caused by his exposure to burning trash pits while he was stationed in Iraq from 2006 to 2007.

In addition to the PACT Act, Hassan said she was successful in getting U.S. Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to release plans for infrastructure improvements at the 73-year-old Manchester VA Medical Center.

According to the project documents, the plans call for the installation of a two-way road looping around the facility, 135 new parking spaces and realigning the building’s west entrance. Security improvements include installing additional surveillance cameras, emergency call boxes and vehicle barriers.