A Letter to the Trump Administration
January 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- PROTECTING AND STRENGTHENING THE PACT ACT FOR OUR NATION’S VETERANS
We extend our sincere gratitude to Trump Administration for the confirmation of Doug Collins as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs. As an Iraq War Veteran who personally experienced toxic exposures while stationed at Balad, Iraq, where he slept next to Burn Pits, he has a firsthand perspective for those affected by toxic exposures, including respiratory illnesses, cancers and long term conditions.
On behalf of Burn Pits 360 and the millions of veterans and families we serve, I urge your administration to reaffirm its commitment to the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022—a historic piece of legislation that finally acknowledged the devastating health effects of toxic exposure on our nation’s service members. While the PACT Act has expanded access to healthcare and benefits, its success hinges on continued protection, proper implementation, and necessary expansions to ensure no veteran is left behind.
For 13 years we advocated with families across the country. We stood on the steps of our nation’s Capitol for 5 nights in support of our decade long efforts, now We stand ready to partner with the administration to ensure the lifelong, quality care that every Veteran and their family deserves.
Since its passage, the PACT Act has granted much-needed care to thousands of veterans suffering from cancers, respiratory diseases, and other chronic conditions caused by burn pits and toxic exposures. However, this law must remain fully funded, protected from legislative rollbacks, and reinforced with clear, consistent implementation across all VA healthcare facilities. We cannot afford bureaucratic delays or policy reversals that jeopardize the health and well-being of our veterans who diligently upheld their oath.
While the PACT Act was a monumental step forward, more work remains to be done. We call on your administration to:
1. Expand the List of Presumptive Conditions – New research continues to reveal additional illnesses linked to toxic exposure, including autoimmune disorders and neurological conditions. Veterans suffering from these diseases must be included under the PACT Act’s protections.
2. Strengthen Research, Prevention and Early Screening Programs – Veterans deserve proactive rather than reactive care. Implementing advanced lung and cancer screenings, biomarker testing, and toxic exposure health monitoring programs will save lives by detecting diseases early.
3. Invest in Education and Outreach – Too many veterans remain unaware of their eligibility for PACT Act benefits. A national awareness campaign, coupled with VA staff training on toxic exposure illnesses, is critical to ensuring that every eligible veteran receives the care they have earned. We created a Military Toxic Exposure Guide that serves as a resource for clinicians, VA adjudicators, Veterans and their families. https://burnpits360.org/pages/military-toxic-exposure-guide
4. Ensure Accountability and Transparency – Veterans and their families must not endure long delays or denials due to inefficiencies in the claims process. We urge your administration to streamline VA procedures, hire additional toxic exposure specialists, and enforce strict oversight to guarantee benefits are processed fairly and efficiently.
Burn Pits 360 stands ready to ensure our veterans receive the healthcare, benefits, and respect they have earned. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss how we can work together to protect those who sacrificed for this nation.
Together, with the support of the new administration, Burn Pits 360 will continue its work to secure comprehensive, ongoing care for every veteran affected by toxic exposures. These men and women put our country’s safety ahead of their own; we must ensure they receive the full measure of support they have earned.
Sincerely,
CPT LeRoy Torres
U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.) / Texas Highway Patrol
Co-founder of Burn Pits 360
Rosie Torres
Co-founder of Burn Pits 360
A PDF copy of this letter is available here.
