© 2023 KUAF

NPR Affiliate since 1985

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

Available On Air Stations

USE THIS ONE

Ozarks at Large

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 'PACT Act Week of Action' in Arkansas

By Jacqueline Froelich

Published December 13, 2022 at 12:51 PM CST

U.S. Army Huey helicopter sprays highly toxic defoliant called 'Agent Orange' over waterways and farm fields during the Vietnam War.

A new bipartisan law known as the “Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics” or PACT Act is rolling out across the country, including in Arkansas. The PACT Act provides medical care and benefits to generations of Veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving in the military. Two experts with the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System provide guidance on the new law. They and others will also field questions at an in-person town hall Thursday, December 15 from 4 – 7pm at the Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center in North Little Rock. Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks is hosting a virtual PACT Act town hall Wednesday, December 14 at 10am.

Tags

Ozarks at Large Veterans VHSCO Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Ozarks at Large

Jacqueline Froelich

Jacqueline Froelich is an investigative reporter and news producer for "Ozarks at Large."

See stories by Jacqueline Froelich

Related Content

Local News from Ozarks at Large

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks Team Screens, Counsels Veterans Struggling with Intimate Partner Violence

Jacqueline Froelich

The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks provides confidential and comprehensive counseling to Veterans, their families and VHA employees struggling with intimate partner violence. The assistance program team is coordinated by Andrea Predl, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the VA.
Local News from Ozarks at Large

Veterans Enlist in 'Cafe Novice' Creative Forces Culinary Arts Residency at Mt. Sequoyah

Jacqueline Froelich

Local Veterans are gathering this month for a two-week-long culinary arts kitchen skills and writing residency at Mt. Sequoyah. The grant-funded "Cafe Novice" course is being taught by professional chefs, food writers and digital artists, who will gather this Sunday evening, November 20th for a communal feast prepared by Veterans for Veterans. The public is also invited.
Local News from Ozarks at Large

Fayetteville VA Hosts Drum Circle Facilitator Training

Jacqueline Froelich

Several dozen Veterans from across the South, as well as staff from Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, spent a week together training to be drum circle facilitators. Drum circles are trending at VA’s across the country, under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Whole Health initiative.
Local News from Ozarks at Large

VA to Offer Emergency Abortions to Veterans Despite State Abortion Bans

Jacqueline Froelich

Under a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs interim final rule, pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries will be able to obtain abortions -- if their life or health is in danger. VA patients whose pregnancies were the result of rape or incest will also be eligible for emergency abortions.
Local News from Ozarks at Large

New VA Program Combats Veteran Loneliness

Jacqueline Froelich

The Compassionate Contact Corps, a new "social prescription" program deployed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, matches Veterans experiencing loneliness or social isolation with volunteers trained to ease such conditions. We attend a national media roundtable hosted by USDVA to learn more.
Local News from Ozarks at Large

Whole Health Initiative Takes Root at Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks

Jacqueline Froelich

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks several years ago began to implement the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Whole Health Initiative. Two key providers explain how the paradigm is slowly being infused.