Press Release

SACRAMENTO, CA – Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) released a public service announcement today encouraging combat veterans who have not yet enrolled in health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs to take advantage of their eligibility under expanded access.

Combat veterans that served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones and who did not enroll in VA health care before leaving the military between September 11th, 2001, and October 1st, 2013, are currently eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. This expanded access to health care is made possible through the newly enacted the PACT Act, which Rep. Bera played a pivotal role in passing into law.

“Our nation’s veterans have selflessly served our country, often putting their lives on the line to uphold freedom and democracy,” said Representative Bera. “We owe them a debt of gratitude that goes beyond words of thanks. That’s why I was proud to help pass the PACT Act into law which has expanded critical health care access for millions of veterans across the country.”

Eligible veterans have until September 30th to enroll. To apply, veterans can visit va.gov/PACT or call 800-698-2411. 

Despite the fact that nearly 40,000 veterans call the 6th Congressional District of California home, as of September 9th, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs has received only approximately 1,700 PACT Act related claims from veterans in the district.