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Tag: Veterans

Daines Demands Accountability For Failures of VA Health Record System

January 26, 2023

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General Michael Missal concerning the systematic failures of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. “My office has explored an increasingly high number of systematic failures at the rollout sites of the EHRM program. There are rampant complications from frequent software failures to incomplete or incorrect patient records that derail access to care and leave afflicted veterans without the resources they need and deserve. Disturbingly, I have received reports from VA staff who indicate that they have no hope that

Daines Demands Biden Administration Investigate Link Between Rare Cancer and Service at Malmstrom

January 24, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the Biden administration to immediately expand the investigation into the possible link between the nine military officers who were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after serving at Malmstrom Air Force Base. “I write to stress the importance of the ongoing investigation into the possible increased likelihood of cancer for missileers at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. I urge the Department of Defense to re-examine previous studies and expand the current investigation, which is monitoring and screening current and former missileers. It must be a priority to ensure that our nuclear readiness is sufficient and

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect, Expand Montana Veterans’ Access to Community Care

December 22, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to expand and protect Montana veterans’ access to care in their local communities.  “Montana veterans have served and sacrificed for our state and nation – the VA needs to ensure that serving our veterans with the highest quality of care is at the core of everything they do. I am glad to help protect Montana veterans’ access to health care in their communities,”  Daines said.  The “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act” strengthens the existing community care program, limits the VA’s ability to restrict access to care in the community, and requires the VA to

Daines Delivers Big Wins for Montana Servicemembers, National Security

December 15, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted to pass several major Montana priorities in the bipartisan “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) including the repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemembers, a pay raise for troops and critical support for Malmstrom Air Force Base.  “This year’s bipartisan defense package ends Biden’s overreaching vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers, includes a well-deserved pay raise for our military, protects women from the draft, and strengthens our nuclear triad to ensure America’s military remains the best and most intimidating in the world. This legislation contains a lot of big wins for Montanans who wear the uniform and bolsters our national security. I’m glad to support it,” Daines

Daines Secures Provision to Protect Servicemembers from COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate in 2023 Defense Bill

December 7, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines successfully secured a provision in the must-pass defense bill, known as the “National Defense Authorization Act” or “NDAA,” which would rescind the Biden administration’s overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers. “Montana servicemembers selflessly defend our nation and our freedoms——now we’re one step closer to defending their liberties and rights to make personal decisions when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” Daines said.  Background: On May 13, 2021, Daines introduced a bill to counter the Biden administration’s efforts to coerce and punish Montana servicemembers who decline the COVID-19 vaccine, and include accountability measures in response to DoD efforts to undermine transparency. Contact: Rachel Dumke,  Blake

Daines, Colleagues Call Out VA for Politicizing Veterans’ Healthcare

December 6, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and a group of Republican senators issued the following statement after receiving a late, inadequate response from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that failed to address the senators’ concerns with veterans’ access to community care. “Not only does this weak response show a lack of respect for Congress’ role to advocate on behalf of our constituents, including veterans, it shows that the VA under Biden has no intent to move past political differences to better serve America’s heroes or work in good faith with those of us across the aisle. Our veterans deserve better,” the senators said.  In July, Daines sent a letter

Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Protect Montana Veterans’ Access to Air Ambulance Services

November 17, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the Biden administration to reevaluate a recent rule that could jeopardize rural Montana veterans’ access to air ambulances. “With the number of instances of emergency care being provided by the VA exponentially increasing, it is critical the VA explores sustainable options for the future and ensures veterans living in rural areas have access to care. Unfortunately, I am concerned that the VA has not done due diligence in developing this rule, nor does it recognize the significant impact it will have on a full spectrum of emergency services, ultimately leading to air ambulances

Daines: Don’t Draft Our Daughters

October 14, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines helped introduce an amendment to this year’s defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that would remove a provision requiring women to register for the Selective Service System. “Brave Montana men and women carry out the Treasure State’s rich legacy of service by voluntarily joining our nation’s military,” Daines said. “There is no need to force our nation’s daughters to enter the draft.” Last year, Daines helped introduce the “Don’t Draft Our Daughters” resolution in the United States Senate.  Contact: Rachel Dumke,  Blake Kernen

Daines Statement on VA Health Care Announcement to Better Serve Montana Veterans

October 13, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement that they would delay further implementation of the Oracle Cerner electronic health record system to address recurring problems with the rollout. This announcement follows Daines’ push to ensure the VA is providing Montana veterans with the quality care they deserve. “I’m pleased to see the VA take steps to ensure Montana veterans are receiving the quality service they deserve by reassessing the VA Electronic Health Care Management System (EHRM),” Daines said. “It is unacceptable that until now Biden’s VA has failed to seriously address critical issues

Daines Demands Biden Admin’s Illegal VA Abortion Rule Be Reversed

October 12, 2022

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today is demanding the Biden administration reverse a recent rule purporting to allow VA clinics to provide abortions after the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) determined such an action would be illegal. “I insist that you immediately rescind the illegal IFR and revert the VA’s policies to the long-standing prior regulation excluding abortion from the VA’s medical benefits package as well as the CHAMPVA program, in conformity with the law and Congressional intent,” Daines wrote. Daines also issued the following statement. “Instead of focusing on improving care for our nation’s veterans, the Biden administration wants