Taking Care of our Veterans

Serving in the United States Military is one of the most noble and meaningful jobs that any American can have. Whether stationed overseas, in Montana, at Malmstrom Air Force Base or elsewhere, these individuals are performing an invaluable service for our nation.

I have tremendous gratitude for the service of our veterans, and believe it's essential for us to take care of them as they have taken care of us. I have worked hard my entire career to provide our veterans with the benefits, health care, and recognition they so richly deserve.

There are more than 100,000 veterans residing in Montana. Protecting these heroes is of the utmost importance to me, and I'll continue to do everything I can, in Washington and back home in Montana, to fulfill this commitment.

Need Help?

Please visit my Constituent Info/Casework page for information on how to gain assistance from my office with veterans related casework such as disability benefits, medals, military health care benefits or military records or call my toll-free number at 1-800-332-6106.

Traumatic Brain Injury

I recently introduced legislation that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to consider establishing a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center in Montana.  I’ll keep fighting to make sure our veterans have enough resources close to home.

Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009

I’m extremely proud to have worked closely with the Montana National Guard to improve the care all troops receive after they come home from war.  I introduced and helped pass legislation modeled after a program currently used by the Montana National Guard.

The bill will require the military to provide a mental health assessment for every Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Sailor after he or she returns from combat and no later than six, twelve, and twenty-four months after they come home.

The purpose of the assessments will be to identify Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicidal tendencies, and other behavioral health issues to identify which service members are in need of additional health care and treatment. The assessments will be provided in a private, clinical setting by licensed mental-health professionals or personnel trained and certified to perform such assessments.

Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act

Last year, I helped pass the I introduced and helped pass the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009. The bill will help unemployed veterans, those who left the military between 2008 and 2010, find jobs. If unemployed veterans receive unemployment payments for at least four weeks, then the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act provides employers with a work opportunity tax credit for hiring them. It is imperative that we encourage employers to hire veterans, so that they have the opportunity to be as successful in the civilian world as they were while serving our country.

Earlier this year, I introduced a bill to simplify the tax credit. My legislation will require the military to provide each service member leaving the military with a certificate of eligibility for the credit. This way, the veteran can hand a prospective employer the certificate along with his resume, which should be a great tool to help veterans find work.

I also fought hard to pass the Help Our Patriots Employment (HOPE) Act to provide incentives for employers to hire service-connected disabled veterans and to improve adjustment assistance and job-training transition for injured and disabled veterans. The legislation ensures that small businesses are eligible for tax breaks if they hire disable veterans.

GI Bill for the 21st Century

Veterans' service to the United States doesn't end when they leave the armed forces. They continue to play an important role in our society for the rest of their lives. That's why I fought hard for the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007, also known as the GI Bill for the 21st Century, which passed Congress this past spring. The bill makes it possible for thousands of veterans to go to college, and increases benefits to adjust for the high cost of higher education today. In addition, the bill adds flexibility for those who wish to pursue a degree in a program while on active duty. Men and women on active duty have the option to pursue programs on a half-time basis, to take on an apprenticeship, or to sign up for correspondence courses. It is crucial that those who have given so much to our country are granted their hard-earned benefits.

One-Time Economic Recovery Payments

In the Jobs Bill, I was proud to have included a one-time $250 Economic Recovery Payment in 2009 for each of Montana's 16,956 veterans receiving disability compensation or pension benefits. The bill also contains significant tax breaks for employers who hire veterans who have left the military in the last five years and are struggling to find jobs in the economic downturn. In total, the jobs bill includes more than one billion dollars for improvements to Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country. This bill is a great step towards improving the quality of care for Montana's veterans.

Helping Veterans Find Jobs at Home

Our veterans courageously put their lives on the line to protect the everyday freedoms we enjoy. I'm committed to helping them find good-paying jobs after they've completed their service.

Need Help?

Please visit my Constituent Info/Casework page for information on how to gain assistance from my office with veterans related casework such as disability benefits, medals, military health care benefits or military records or call my toll-free number at 1-800-332-6106.

Increasing Funding for Health Care

I understand that the VA in Montana is finding itself in an increasingly difficult financial pinch from dealing with the growing numbers of veterans seeking care. Each year I work together with the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In recent years, I have been proud to support the largest increases in funding for the VA in American history. Though this is a great first step, much more needs to be done.

It is of the utmost importance to ensure that those who have given so much for our country are granted their due benefits and treated with respect. I've repeatedly backed legislation to make health care more accessible to veterans. I also voted to allow veterans who are eligible for Medicare to receive their health care at a VA facility. I'll continue to fight to ensure that our nation's vets have access to the quality health care and prescription drug benefits they need.

Expanding the Reach of Rural Clinics

In many rural parts of the country the nearest VA medical facility can be hundreds of miles away. This can be a grueling trip, especially for older veterans. I'm proud to have worked with Senator Tester to increase the mileage reimbursement paid to veterans from 11 cents to 41.5 cents per mile. But I believe it is also critical to get the services veterans need closer to where they live. I've been working hard to expand the locations and services of the VA primary care facilities in Montana. Veterans in Libby, Lewistown, Cut Bank and Havre have recently received new Community Based Outpatient Clinics and the VA Clinics in Billings, Kalispell, Anaconda, and Missoula have recently expanded to better serve our veterans.

Although these changes are important, they are not enough. Enormous challenges remain which prevent veterans from accessing the care they need. I'll keep fighting to improve the quality and accessibility of the VA care our veterans receive.

Relief for Rural Veterans in Crisis Act

To help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from PTSD in rural areas, I introduced and helped pass the Relief for Rural Veterans in Crisis Act of 2008, which was included as provision to the recently passed Medicare bill. This program expanded an existing Medicare program - the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program) to enable states to apply for grants to bolster the ability of rural hospitals to provide mental health services for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The expansion builds on the program's successful 10-year history of improving health care in rural areas. I was proud to recently secure $1 million to start the program this year.

Need Help?

Please visit my Constituent Info/Casework page for information on how to gain assistance from my office with veterans related casework such as disability benefits, medals, military health care benefits or military records or call my toll-free number at 1-800-332-6106.