Tester Delivers On VA Healthcare

Dear Editor,

I believe it's time we had an honest conversation about our veterans, their healthcare and some misconceptions that seem to be circulating in our community. Recently, I've seen political ads claiming that Senator Jon Tester has let down our veterans and has done nothing to address VA suicide. As someone who has seen firsthand the impact of recent healthcare changes in our area, these claims don't sit right with me. I feel compelled to share what I know, and I hope you will take time to consider these important facts.

Many of us have family members who have served our country. My own son is a veteran and I've witnessed the challenges they've faced in getting proper healthcare, especially mental health support. It used to be that if they needed immediate mental healthcare, our only option was to send them miles away to Great Falls or Helena.

But things have changed and I believe we need to acknowledge that. The VA Mission Act, which Senator Tester helped pass, has made a real difference here in Valley County. It's put our veterans and their doctors in charge of their care and made it easier to get treatment closer to home. The expansion of telehealth has been a game changer, especially for mental health support.

I remember when our local ambulance services were struggling with the costs of transporting veterans for care, often without guarantee of reimbursement. The paperwork was a nightmare and often the families were left with the bill. The VA Emergency Transportation Act has helped address this improving reimbursement for travel and ambulance services, including our vital air transportation. The bipartisan amendment to provide veteran's access to emergency medical transportation was introduced by Senator Tester and the bill was passed with Senator Tester's support.

These changes may sound abstract, but they've had real impact on people we know. A veteran struggling with PTSD is now able to get urgent mental health support without leaving the county. Not long ago, that wouldn't have been possible.

I'm not writing this to tell you how to think or who to support. But I am asking that we as a community take time to reflect on what we've seen and experienced. Have these healthcare changes made a difference to the veterans in your life? Are we seeing improvements in access to care here in Valley County?

If you've seen positive changes, I encourage you to speak up. And if you haven't, I'd like to hear that too. Our veterans deserved the best care we can provide, and it's up to us to make sure they're getting it.

Let's have a real conversation about this – not based on political ads, but on our lived experience here in Valley County. Our community has always looked out for each other, and I believe that by speaking openly and honestly about these issues we can continue to do right by those who have served our country. What your thoughts on this? I'd genuinely like to know.

Sincerely,

Marketta Turner

Glasgow, Mont.