Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
Today, as part of America 250 Week, Representative Sharice Davids toured the Kansas City VA Medical Center to highlight the impact of the bipartisan PACT Act on veterans’ healthcare access, exposure screenings, and benefits delivery.
“America 250 is about recognizing the people and service that have shaped our country; and that all must begin with our veterans,” said Davids. “The bipartisan PACT Act is making a real difference in Kansas, helping more veterans get screened, treated, and connected to the benefits they earned after toxic exposure while deployed. I’ll keep working to make sure we deliver on that promise.”
“The PACT Act is a major victory for veterans, finally recognizing conditions like allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis as presumptive tied to toxic exposure,” said Rick McKenna, KS VFW Junior Vice Commander and Air Force veteran. “I’m grateful for leaders like Representative Sharice Davids, who voted to pass this historic law and ensure veterans receive the care and benefits we earned. This legislation is already making a real difference for veterans like me.”
During her visit, Davids met with Ryan Locascio, Assistant Director of the Kansas City VA, and Rick McKenna, KS VFW Junior Vice Commander and Air Force veteran, to discuss implementation of the PACT Act and ongoing outreach efforts to veterans across the region.
The PACT Act has provided approximately $40 million in funding to the Kansas City VA to expand care and outreach. At the facility, 76 percent of enrolled veterans have been screened for exposure — above the national average of 72 percent — and among more than 45,000 veterans screened, 48 percent have reported at least one exposure concern, consistent with national trends.
The Kansas City VA has also expanded its capacity with two environmental health clinicians certified in Military Environmental Medicine, increased outreach efforts in partnership with local veteran’s service organizations to improve access and awareness and began offering Military Environmental Exposure Assessments in 2025.
Nationally, more than 2.36 million veterans and survivors have completed PACT Act-related claims between August 2022 and March 2026, reflecting the scale of demand and the law’s ongoing impact in connecting veterans to earned benefits.
Davids has worked hard to ensure Kansas veterans are supported after returning home from active duty. She passed bipartisan legislation to help veterans succeed when starting a small business and pushed back on extreme attempts to gut the VA.
Her office helps military and veteran constituents with casework and acts as a facilitator between federal, state, and local agencies. For more information on how veterans can receive assistance, constituents are encouraged to visit Davids’ website or call her office at (913) 621-0832.