Veterans Health Care

It is well known that farmers, ranchers and folks from rural communities have been statistically more inclined than their urban counterparts to step up and serve our country's militarily. Continuing his efforts to improve the care veterans receive at the Veterans Administration (VA), Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) recently voted for legislation passed in the House of Representatives to help give veterans increased access to quality care in a timely manner. Walden applauded seven bills passed in the House of Representatives to reduce the appeals backlog at the VA, tackle opioid addiction, and expand mental health care treatment options for veterans.

"Improving the care veterans receive at the VA is certainly a priority of mine. "The House recently passed seven pieces of legislation to take on some of the biggest issues facing our veterans and improve their access to timely care. Legislation the House passed will help the VA move through the backlog of appeals -- this is a big issue for our veterans. This legislation would give veterans more options and increased flexibility in the appeals process, which they deserve. This will answer many of the concerns I've heard from veterans and veterans organizations in the district -- some of whom have waited two years just to get through the first step in the appeals process.

"We also passed bills to reduce duplicative medical examinations that are unnecessary and make sure all VA facilities comply with scheduling guidelines -- that makes sure our veterans get access to timely care. We also took concrete steps to improve the mental health care our veterans receive and to tackle the opioid epidemic -- which has affected veterans and non-veterans alike across our country. The bills we passed will create a pilot program to explore new, innovative treatment options for veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, or chronic pain, and allow for better monitoring of VA prescription drug use.

"There is still much work to be done to get veterans access to the care they have earned and deserve in a timely manner. We won't give up until that is done. These bills are an important first step in making progress on that front," said Walden.