BATON ROUGE – This morning in Lafayette, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) met with veterans throughout Acadiana at a roundtable organized by the Veterans’ Coalition of Southwest Louisiana. They discussed issues important to veterans and their families throughout the region, including the implementation of the PACT Act, and several of Cassidy’s initiatives to help veterans.
“Had a great meeting with Acadiana Veterans. Just like in the service, when they were there for each other, my staff and I are here for them as well,” said Dr. Cassidy. “If a veteran has an issue my office staff and I are there to help.”
The PACT Act, which was signed into law last August, expands VA health care and benefits for veterans that were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This covers veterans who fought in the Global War on Terrorism, but also for those who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and recent conflicts. It also requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening for every veteran enrolled in VA health care. Cassidy voted for the PACT Act when it came for a Senate vote in summer 2022.
Additionally, Cassidy is a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a retired doctor from the Louisiana charity hospital system. He passed and had signed into law the Solid Start Act of 2021, which requires the VA to contact veterans three times within their first year of separation, to connect them with VA services. During his time in the Senate, he also supported the VA Mission Act and included amendments that require the VA to hire and maintain well-qualified, board-certified podiatrists, expand access for certain eligible veterans to transplant care outside the VA system, and ensure veterans have access to walk-in care from non-VA providers.
Cassidy was welcomed by Mr. Deron Santiny, a board member for the Veterans’ Coalition of Southwest Louisiana.
“Senator Cassidy is willing to listen to the issues that veterans in our community have, and to address them at home and in Washington,” said Mr. Santiny. “We appreciate his advocacy for veterans in Washington.”
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