Tester's State of Veterans in Montana Report

1

State of Veterans in Montana: A Regional Breakdown

2

BillingsLOCAL VA FACILITIES

AVERAGE WAIT TIMES FOR VETERANS BY VA FACILITY

TOTAL # OFAPPOINTMENTS

November 11, 2015 Since my first days in the United States Senate, I have been working to keep the promise that our nation makes to our sons and daughters when we send them to war. We ask so much of our servicemembers and their families when they deploy, and we can’t forsake them when they return from battle. That’s why I have compiled my “State of Veterans in Montana” report, to help shed some light on the triumphs and tribulations that veterans face each and every day. This report serves as a reminder that our duty to do right by our veterans should be as unwavering as the bravery and courage of those who have responded to the call of duty. This report highlights the demographics of Montana’s veterans population. With about 100,000 veterans living in Montana, making up 10 percent of the state’s population, these veterans are our brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren. They are our family and friends and they represent the very best of Montana values. Overwhelmingly, Montana veterans tell me that once they get in to see a doctor at the VA, the care and attention they get from doctors and the VA staff is usually very good. But getting in the door can be all too frustrating for our veterans. That is why this report takes a regional look at veterans’ care - highlighting wait times by VA facility and total appointments scheduled. All of the data was pulled from the VA itself and shows us that the demands for VA services are growing and that has a direct impact on wait times. It indicates that in some areas we are making progress, while in others there is still significant work that needs to be done.

This report also captures a few stories of real veterans who have contacted me to help them navigate the VA, access benefits, transition to civilian life, find housing, employment and education. Then it summarizes what can be done legislatively to fix the issues that they struggle with every day. As Montana’s only member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have introduced and passed legislation, written letters, held hearings and brought three VA Secretaries to Montana to see the challenges of providing care to veterans in a rural state like Montana. As the Ranking Member of the VA Appropriations Subcommittee, I authored legislation that invests in veterans’ health care and direct medical services. Many of these efforts have improved the lives of veterans in Big Sky Country, and I’m proud of that. But there is still so much more that we need to accomplish to do right by Montana’s veterans. In some cases, wait times right here in Montana are unacceptable. After being plagued with mismanagement and scandal, I know the VA has been under a microscope and it should be. It’s responsible for honoring a promise, and when that promise is broken we need to do more than just say sorry. We need to fix it. Which is why I’m pleased to release this report. I hope it will increase transparency and government accountability and ensure that in Montana, every day is Veterans Day. To all the veterans who have served Montana and our country, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

A Snapshot of Montana’s Veterans Population ............................. 6

Service Regions ........................................................................... 7

Local VA Offices ............................................................................ 8

Billings ........................................................................................ 10

Bozeman ..................................................................................... 12

Butte ........................................................................................... 14

Glendive ...................................................................................... 16

Great Falls ................................................................................... 18

Helena ......................................................................................... 20

Kalispell ...................................................................................... 22

Missoula ..................................................................................... 24

Index of Legislation .................................................................... 26

Table of Contents

4

LOCAL VA FACILITIES



8,445 are female

91,201 are male

Of the 99,646 veterans

in Montana:

5,283

10,033

12,181

15,728

25,197

31,224

20-29 40-4930-39 50-59 60-69 70+

and their age breakdown down is:

A Snapshot of Montana’s Veteran Population

5

All statistical information used in this report is from: http://www.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp

http://www.va.gov/health/access-audit.asp

Of the 100,149 veteranliving in Montana as of

September 2013;24,334 are peacetime veterans

75,312 are

wartimeveterans

WWII

Korea

Gulf War

Vietnam

Post-9/11

3,693

6,746

32,579

13,044

12,127

Served in multiple wars

7,123

6




Service Regions

1Contact My Offices1. BILLINGS

2900 4th Ave N, Suite 201

Billings, MT 59101

Phone: (406) 252-0550

4. GLENDIVE122 W Towne

Glendive, MT 59330

Phone: (406) 365-2391

7. KALISPELL8 Third Street E

Kalispell, MT 59901

Phone: (406) 257-3360

2. BOZEMAN1 E Main Street, #202

Bozeman, MT 59715

Phone: (406) 586-4450

5. GREAT FALLS119 1st Avenue N, #102

Great Falls, MT 59401

Phone: (406) 452-9585

8. MISSOULA130 W Front Street

Missoula, MT 59802

Phone: (406) 728-3003

3. BUTTE125 W Granite, #200

Butte, MT 59701

Phone: (406) 723-3277

Fax: (406) 782-4717

6. HELENACapital One Center

208 N Montana Ave, #202

Helena, MT 59601

Phone: (406) 449-5401

* WASHINGTON D.C.*311 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-2644

5

6

13

4

7

8

2

7

Anaconda VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic118 East 7th St, Suite 2A, Anaconda, MT 59711

406-496-3000

Hamilton Telehealth Facility299 Fairgrounds Road, Suite A, Hamilton, MT 59840

406-363-3352

Billings VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic1775 Spring Creek Lane, Billings, MT 59102

406-373-3500

Havre VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic130 13th St, Suite 1, Havre, MT 59501

406-265-4304

Bozeman VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic300 N. Wilson, Suite 703G, Bozeman, MT 59715

406-582-5300

Kalispell VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic31 Three Mile Drive, Suite 102, Kalispell, MT 59901

406-758-2700

Cut Bank VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic#8 Second Avenue SE, Cut Bank, MT 59427

406-873-9047

Lewistown VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic629 NE Main St, Suite 1, Lewistown, MT 59457

406-535-4790

Fort Harrison3687 Veterans Drive, PO Box 1500

Fort Harrison, Montana 59636-1500

Libby Contract Care Facility308 E 3rd St, Libby, MT 59923

(406) 293-6285

Glasgow VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic630 Second Avenue S, Suite A, Glasgow, MT 599230

406-228-4101

Miles City VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic210 S. Winchester, Miles City, MT 59301

406-874-5600

Glendive VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic2000 Montana Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330

406-377-4755

Missoula VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic2687 Palmer Street, Suite C, Missoula, MT 59808

406-493-3700

Great Falls VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic1417 9th St South, Suite 200 and 300, Great Falls, MT 59405

406-791-3200

Plentywood Telehealth Facility 440 West Laurel Avenue, Plentywood, MT 59254

406-765-3718

Montana VA Clinics

8

LOCAL VA FACILITIES



BillingsLOCAL VA FACILITIES 56

9

2

1

3

4

78

Billings

Mental Health Primary Care Speciality Care

20191817161514131211

10987654321

Days

0.6

3.1

Billings VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic1775 Spring Creek Lane, Billings, MT 59102406-373-3500

1/1/15

10/15/15

4000

3961

20000 1

13244

1.52.52.4

20

6

2

9

WHAT JON IS HEARING...An Iraq war veteran from Billings frequently accesses care at the local VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. However, access to mental health care services and support is much more of a challenge because of the VA’s ongoing struggles to recruit and retain mental health professionals.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Partnering with the Billings Clinic to advocate for the creation of a psychiatry residency program to provide

critical medical training to mental health professionals locally.

• Brought the VA Secretary to Billings to hear first-hand about how the VA can partner with local providers to expand access to care, particularly mental care, for Billings-area veterans.

• Authored landmark legislation - The Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services (DOCS) for Veterans Act – to provide the VA with greater tools to help recruit and retain qualified medical professionals, specifically mental health professionals, in rural America, and to expand mental health residency programs.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...A homeless Vietnam veteran from Billings in his 60s is struggling to overcome the worsening physical effects of Agent Orange, and his trips to the doctors are getting harder and more expensive when he can’t get to the VA. He reached out to Jon for help because he doesn’t have any family, friends or loved ones.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Authored legislation to extend a critical homeless veterans reintegration program that provides support to

state and local groups, such as the Volunteers of American Northern Rockies in Billings, that assist homeless veterans looking for employment and career counseling.

• Fought for funds for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, which provides supportive services to low-income veterans and helps them access and coordinate other public benefits.

A Snapshot of Billings’ Veteran Population 18,083 veterans live in the Billings region

6

2

1 Yellowstone County - 14,018

2 Big Horn County - 882

3 Carbon County - 868

4 Stillwater County - 800

5 Rosebud County - 773

6 Musselshell County - 528

7 Golden Valley County - 94

8 Treasure County - 83

9 Petroleum County - 37

Local Veteran Case Studies

10

LOCAL VA FACILITIES



Bozeman

Bozeman VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic300 N. Wilson, Suite 703G, Bozeman, MT 59715406-582-5300

836

10005000 1

4

5

3

1

6

2

1500

1120

1/1/15

10/15/15


222120191817161514131211

10987654321

Days

3.75.4

21.3

4.24.6

0.9

Bozeman


2

11

A Snapshot of Bozeman’s Veteran Population 9,738 veterans live in the Bozeman region

1 6,517 live in Gallatin County

2 873 live in Madison County

3 234 live in Meagher County

4 1,568 live in Park County

5 359 live in Sweetgrass County

6 187 live in Wheatland County

Local Veteran Case StudiesWHAT JON IS HEARING...

Bozeman is home to Montana State University and many student veterans are using GI Bill benefits to pay for school. Many of these young veterans who are returning to school are struggling to transition from the battlefield to the classroom.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Authored legislation that would help schools establish and improve Veteran Student Centers, which help

improve the performance of veterans in school, increase their graduation rates, and connect them to their campus.

• Supported efforts to strengthen the Transition Assistance Program to provide critical information, tools, and training to men and women leaving the military.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...Sarah is a Montana veteran who was tragically a victim of sexual assault during her service in the Marines. Upon her separation from the service, she returned to Montana to pursue her education and potential job opportunities. She struggles to get the care she needs from the VA because they won’t properly recognize the PTSD that she incurred as a result of military sexual trauma.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Authored the landmark Ruth Moore Act, which would make it easier for veterans to qualify for disability

benefits by reducing their burden of proof for incidents of military sexual trauma.

• Advocated for legislation requiring the VA to establish standards at its facilities that meet the specific needs of women veterans and to require every VA medical center to have a full-time obstetrician and/or gynecologist.

2

12

LOCAL VA FACILITIES



Butte5

Anaconda VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic118 East 7th St, Suite 2A, Anaconda, MT 59711406-496-3000

300

91

100 2000

4

32

1

Anaconda


161514131211

10987654321

Days

0.61.5

00

15.814.3

1/1/15

10/15/15

266

13

A Snapshot of Butte’s Veteran Population 6,634 veterans live in the Butte region


1 971 live in Beaverhead County

2 1,171 live in Deer Lodge County

3 1,050 live in Powell County

4 3,442 live in Butte-Silver Bow

WHAT JON IS HEARING...A Vietnam veteran from Butte who is down on his luck and battling PTSD and depression is living temporarily in a nursing home hours away from his family because of the lack of local services for veterans.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Brought the VA Secretary to Montana to meet with officials from Butte to hear personally about why construction

on the Southwest Montana Veterans Home should move forward.

• Directed the VA to work with rural partners to study the need for long term care for veterans in rural or highly rural areas.

• Authored legislation that would dramatically increase funding for state veterans homes, and particularly for new projects in rural and highly rural areas like Butte.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...A disabled veteran from Boulder is appreciative of the care he receives from the VA but is increasingly frustrated by the time it takes to process his disability claim, and to access other VA benefits and services.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Co-authored legislation that will allow the VA to more quickly and efficiently process pending and future claims.

• Supported legislation that requires the VA to provide concurrent receipt of disability and military retirement pay to all disabled veterans.

• Co-authored legislation to extend space-available military air travel to more service-connected disabled veterans.

14

TOTAL # OF APPOINTMENTS

Glendive

73

1000

73


Primary Care Speciality Care

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Days

4.3

0.9

LOCAL VA FACILITIES

Glendive VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic2000 Montana Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330406-377-4755

Glasgow VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic630 Second Avenue S, Suite A, Glasgow, MT 599230406-228-4101

Miles City VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic210 S. Winchester, Miles City, MT 59301406-874-5600

200 200 300300

132 151

100 1000 0

237

6.3

13

7

4 1211

810

5

9

36

21

14

1/1/15

10/15/15

213

2.9

Miles CityGlasgow7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Days

1.6

0

Speciality Care

1.8

3.5

Primary Care

151413121110987654321

Days14.6

Mental Health Primary Care

3.8

0.70.7

Glendive

15

A Snapshot of Glendive’s Veteran Population 5,767 veterans live in the Glendive region


1 126 live in Powder River County

2 74 live in Carter County

3 1,255 live in Custer County

4 195 live in Daniels County

5 886 live in Dawson County

6 198 live in Fallon County

7 106 live in Garfield County

8 155 live in McCone County

9 130 live in Prairie County

10 664 live in Richland County

11 865 live in Roosevelt County

12 311 live in Sheridan County

13 729 live in Valley County

14 73 live in Wibaux County

WHAT JON IS HEARING...A World War II veteran must often travel up to 200 miles to get his hearing aids adjusted. Because he is unable to drive, his 85 year-old wife must accompany and drive him to his appointments. This costly practice is beginning to take a physical and financial toll on the veteran and his family.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Authored legislation to lift policy restrictions that limit the VA’s ability to work with hearing aid specialists,

and to expedite access to these services for more veterans.

• Fought to ensure the Veterans Choice Act included significant resources to address VA staffing shortages for professionals such as audiologists.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...Earlier this year, a veteran in Glendive sought an appointment from the VA for podiatric care. The local veterans’ clinic was unable to provide the services he needed, and he was also ineligible for care outside the VA because he lived too close to a VA facility.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Passed legislation clarifying that veterans can receive care outside the VA if they live close to a VA facility

that does not provide the specific treatment they seek.

• Authored legislation to ensure veterans are better able to receive quality care from the most highly trained and specialized foot and ankle specialists.

16

4

Great Falls1

2

3

4

5

6

789

11

10


7654321

7654321

Days

Days

1500500 200 300

1374 188

1000 1000 0

231


1/1/15

10/15/15

1330

200

86

1000

195

Havre

0

0

2

1.8

0

7

4.8

6.4

Mental Health

Mental Health

Primary Care

Primary Care

Speciality Care

Speciality Care

1

1.9

1.80.2

1.4

Great Falls


121110987654321

Days

4.2

1010.4

6.87.5

8.8

Lewistown

LOCAL VA FACILITIES

Havre VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic130 13th St, Suite 1, Havre, MT 59501406-265-4304

Lewistown VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic629 NE Main St, Suite 1, Lewistown, MT 59457406-535-4790

Great Falls VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic1417 9th St South, Suite 200 and 300, Great Falls, MT 59405406-791-3200

17

A Snapshot of Great Falls’ Veteran Population 17,140 veterans live in the Great Falls region


1 579 live in Blaine County

2 11,138 live in Cascade County

3 1,338 live in Hill County

4 1,134 live in Fergus County

5 540 live in Chouteau County

6 217 live in Judith Basin County

7 129 live in Liberty County

8 336 live in Phillips County

9 558 live in Pondera County

10 648 live in Teton County

11 523 live in Toole County

WHAT JON IS HEARING...A World War II veteran from Lewistown is struggling with PTSD and dementia. His wife recently contacted Jon after he moved into the State Mental Health Nursing Home in Lewistown because no other facilities could treat him. The VA did not have a contract with this nursing home so his family was forced to spend significant portions of their retirement income to allow the veteran to receive treatment he desperately needed. This veteran is one of nearly ten million veterans in America who will be 65 or older next year - when 46 percent of the total veteran population will be nearing retirement age.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Fought to increase resources for the State Veterans Homes program, which funds facilities that provide

critical nursing and domiciliary care to veterans.

• Secured critical dollars that allow the VA to partner with local mental health providers to address the urgent mental health needs of veterans in more Montana communities.

• Called for the VA to provide a report on the long-term health care needs of the aging veterans population in rural America.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...A Vietnam veteran in Choteau who was exposed to Agent Orange has to travel to Great Falls for treatment once a week and is worried about the long-term impact Agent Orange will have on his family.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Co-authored legislation calling for additional research to determine whether health conditions from toxic

exposures are being passed down to future generations, and to formulate an appropriate course of action.

• Supported legislation to extend benefit eligibility to more Vietnam-era veterans who were exposed to toxins such as Agent Orange, and to ensure their claims are processed in a timely manner.

• Fought to ensure the VA has the resources it needs to respond appropriately to the growing number of veterans who have been subject to toxic exposure during their service.

18

LOCAL VA FACILITIES



Helena13

4

5Fort Harrison3687 Veterans Drive, PO Box 1500Fort Harrison, Montana 59636-1500

1

2

3

Fort Harrison


42403836343230282624222018161412108642

Days

12.4

35.7

4.54.5

1/1/15

10/15/15

6000

6856

20000 10000

8532

40.4

17.2

19

A Snapshot of Helena’s Veteran Population 8,879 veterans live in the Helena region


1 526 live in Broadwater County

2 7,151 live in Lewis and Clark County

3 1,202 live in Jefferson County

WHAT JON IS HEARING...From June of 2014 to February of 2015, VA Montana was without a permanent director. The prolonged vacancy impeded the ability of VA Montana to take strong action, to make long-term decisions, and to implement the dramatic reforms necessary for the VA to meet the demands of veterans in the state. Unfortunately, leadership vacancies such as this are prevalent across the VA.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Demanded action directly from the VA Secretary in addressing the vacancy at Fort Harrison.

• Authored legislation that will require the VA to implement robust succession planning policies to address the prevalence of vacancies across the agency.

• Authored legislation that will address the VA’s inability to compete within the health care industry for executive leaders.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...An alarming number of VA employees continue to voice concerns about retaliation after they have exposed wrongdoing at VA facilities across the country and at Fort Harrison in Helena.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Fought for legislation that directs the VA to ensure all employees are educated on their rights from

retaliation, existing whistleblower protections, and resources available to them.

• Co-authored legislation that calls for the termination of any VA employee who is found to have retaliated or threatened to retaliate against a whistleblower for disclosing wrongdoing.

• Called for the VA to extend whistleblower protection for temporary or probationary employees.

20

LOCAL VA FACILITIES


Kalispell

1

2

3

4

5

Cut BankKalispell


7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Days

0 00.7 02.9

0 01.6

15.8


Kalispell VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic31 Three Mile Drive, Suite 102, Kalispell, MT 59901406-758-2700

Cut Bank VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic#8 Second Avenue SE, Cut Bank, MT 59427406-873-9047

2000 200

1665 18

1894

1000 1000 0

135

13.1

1.8

1/1/15

10/15/15

42403836343230282624222018161412108642

Days

2.2

40.7


21

A Snapshot of Kalispell’s Veteran Population 17,490 veterans live in the Kalispell region

1 9,238 live in Flathead County

2 3,148 live in Lake County

3 2,675 live in Lincoln County

4 1,571 live in Sanders County

5 858 live in Glacier County

Local Veteran Case StudiesWHAT JON IS HEARING...

Veterans Michael and Edward from Kalispell both struggle with mental health conditions and live many hours away from their VA mental health doctors. Often times, they need urgent attention and are unable to drive long distances to Fort Harrison in Helena or even Fort Sheridan, Wyoming, to access the care they need.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Authored landmark legislation - The Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services (DOCS) for Veterans Act – to

help recruit and retain qualified medical professionals, specifically mental health professionals, in rural America.

• Fought to ensure the Veterans Choice Act included significant resources to address VA staffing shortages, particularly for mental health professionals.

• Brought VA Secretary McDonald to Montana to meet with veterans, local health care providers and VA employees to gain a better understanding of the mental health needs in frontier states like Montana.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...Marcus is a veteran from the Flathead Valley who had to travel to Idaho Falls for surgery this summer. Making such a long trip incurs significant costs for veterans like Michael, and issues associated with his travel reimbursement for this particular trip left him stuck in Idaho Falls.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Secured the first increase in over 30 years in the VA’s disabled veterans travel reimbursement levels – from 11

cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile.

• Teamed with veterans advocates to successfully create a new grant program to fund volunteer veterans’ service organizations who operate “Vet Vans” and help connect rural veterans to care.

• Fought to successfully extend a critical VA program that provides transportation and ambulatory services to more rural veterans.

22

LOCAL VA FACILITIES



Missoula

4

Missoula VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic2687 Palmer Street, Suite C, Missoula, MT 59808406-493-3700

4000

2881

20000

1

23

Missoula


20191817161514131211

10987654321

Days

3.3

10.4

4.9

2.8

13.6

3043

1/1/15

10/15/15

18.3

23

A Snapshot of Missoula’s Veteran Population 15,916 veterans live in the Missoula region


1 393 live in Granite County

2 558 live in Mineral County

3 9,928 live in Missoula County

4 5,037 live in Ravalli County

WHAT JON IS HEARING...Deb is a veteran from Missoula, who happens to be one of the 175,000 known VA enrollees who live with

Hepatitis C. Currently, she is unable to receive the treatments she needs in a timely manner because she is on a

wait list driven by VA budget constraints.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Successfully pushed legislation through the Senate that will bolster veterans’ health care by nearly $2 billion

and ensure the VA is better able to provide more Hepatitis C treatments that are shorter in duration with

fewer side effects and that have cure rates approaching 100 percent.

WHAT JON IS HEARING...Earlier this year, a veteran’s spouse from Missoula recently had to quit a good-paying job to care full-time for

her husband suffering from the Traumatic Brain Injury he experienced in Iraq. Because of the increased demand

for caregiver resources from the VA, she has been unable to access the support and assistance she needs to care

for her husband and provide for her family.

WHAT JON IS DOING...• Fighting to secure additional resources for VA caregiver services.

• Co-authored legislation to expand the VA’s caregiver services program and increase the types of resources

available to family members who have taken on a caregiver role.

24




Tester’s Veteran Legislation in 2015S.170 - CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act (Tester): Raises the maximum age for CHAMPVA eligibility to age 26 in order to bring eligibility under the VA program into parity with the private sector.

S.171 - Disabled Veterans Travel Enhancement Act (Tester): Allows travel reimbursement for certain catastrophically disabled veterans who are accepted into in-patient care at a VA special disabilities rehabilitation program.

S.172 - The Access to Appropriate Immunizations for Veterans Act (Tester): Promotes more timely and appropriate vaccinations for veterans, placing a greater emphasis on preventive care.

S.241 - The Military Family Relief Act (Tester): Authorizes the VBA to automatically provide dependency and indemnity compensation and death pension benefits to the widows of fallen service members and veterans for up to six months.

S.242 - Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act (Tester): Ensures that first-year federal employees with service-related disabilities can get the medical care they need without being forced to take unpaid leave.

S.244 – The TBI Assessment Act (Tester): Calls for an independent review of the protocols used by the VA for TBI exams.

S.603 – The Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act (Tester): 1) Provides mileage reimbursement to veterans traveling to Vet Center, 2) reauthorizes the VTS program and 3) transportation grant program for highly rural veterans seeking care.

S.604 - Veteran Education Center Empowerment Act (Tester): Reauthorizes a grant program to help schools establish, maintain, and improve veteran student centers.

S.832 – CARE for Reservists Act (Tester): Expands access to behavioral and mental care for Guardsmen and Reservists.

S.865 – The Ruth Moore Act (Tester): Brings fairness to the VA disability claims process for MST survivors.

S.895 - The Service Member and Veterans Protection Act (Tester): 1) Allows service members to defer their federal student loan repayments during pre-deployment training; 2) increases education benefits for reservists; 3) strengthens credit protections for deployed service members; and 4) strengthens privacy protections for veterans.

S.1676 – The Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act (Tester): Provides the VA with greater tools to recruit and retain qualified medical professionals and executives, particularly in rural America by building a stronger pipeline of doctors into the VA and expanding the VA’s mental health workforce.

S.2134 - The Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015 (Tester): Provides veterans who served as medics in the armed forces with the opportunity to attain the education and training needed to become a Physician Assistant.

S.2175 – The VA Provider Equity Act (Tester): Ensures that employment within the VA system is attractive to podiatric physicians.

S.167 - The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (McCain): Improves mental health care and suicide prevention resources for service members and veterans.

S.207 - Veterans Access to Community Care Act (Moran): Increases access to non-VA care for rural veterans.

25

S.210 - The Military Spouses Job Continuity Act (Casey): Assists military spouses with licensure or certification requirements and eases the stress of military families as they must relocate across the country.

S.271 – The Retired Pay Restoration Act (Reid): Provides concurrent receipt of disability and retirement pay to all disabled veterans.

S.358 - Access to Contraception for Women Service Members and Dependents Act (Shaheen): Ensures that service members and dependents have comprehensive contraceptive coverage and family planning counselling.

S.398 - Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act (Moran): Increases chiropractic staff at VA medical centers.

S.425 – The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act (Boozman): Reauthorizes and strengthens two effective job training programs for homeless veterans.

S.469 – The Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act (Murray): Expands the current fertility services offered to service members and their families by DoD, and end the ban on in vitro fertilization services at the VA

S.563 - Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act (Moran): Directs VA to use existing authorities to enable volunteer physicians to serve in VA medical facilities struggling with appointment wait times or staffing shortages.

S.564 – Hearing Aid Access and Assistance Act (Moran): Improves veterans care by allowing the VA to hire hearing aid specialists.

S.681 - Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act (Gillibrand): Ensures that Blue Water veterans would be fully covered by the VA.

S.743 - Honor America’s Guard-Reserve Retirees Act (Boozman): Honors as veterans, Guard and Reserve retirees who served honorably for a minimum of 20 years but do not meet the active duty service requirement to qualify them as veterans.

S.788 – (McCaskill): Mandates the firing of VA employees who retaliate against a whistleblower.

S.901 - Toxic Exposure Research Act (Moran): Increases research into long-term impacts of toxic chemical exposure.

S.1085 – The Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act (Murray): Expands VA caregiver services and benefits.

S.1130 – The Legal Justice for Servicemembers Act (Boxer): Strengthens whistleblower protections and enhances safeguards for survivors of military sexual assault and other military members

S.1203 – The 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act (Heller): Allows the VA to more quickly and efficiently process claims and to better withstand future surges in disability claims without creating another backlog that slows down the delivery of benefits.

S.1557 - Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act (Durbin): Allows troops and veterans to refinance more of their student loans at a low interest rate.

S.1641 - Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act (Baldwin): Requires stronger opioid prescription guidelines and increases coordination between the VA, other health providers, patients, and their families regarding treatments for chronic pain.

S.1766 – Restore Honor to Service Members Act (Schatz): Helps service members discharged for no other reason than their sexual orientation correct their military record to reflect their honorable service.

S.1775 – World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act (Murphy): Provides additional ways for Mariners to prove their veteran status.

S.1856 – (Blumenthal): Increase accountability at the VA and bolsters workforce development opportunities.

S.1862 – The VET Act (Moran): Increases entrepreneurial opportunities for service members and veterans.

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Tester's State of Veterans in Montana Report

Documents

Transcript of Tester's State of Veterans in Montana Report