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Dr. Benishek's Veterans Action Initiative
From day one, Dr. Benishek has made veterans issues a top priority in Congress. Having spent 20 years as a VA doctor treating patients at the Iron Mountain VA facility, he brings real world experience to the Veterans Health Subcommittee on which he serves as Chairman. In the 113th Congress, he played an integral role in creating and helping pass the landmark reform legislation, leading many of the hearings that uncovered the VA’s incompetency.
In the 114th Congress, Dr. Benishek has announced his Veterans Outreach Initiative to continue the important work of ensuring that all who have served receive the care they have earned. The Veterans Outreach Initiative exists to:
- Keep veterans up to date on Dr. Benishek's work as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health
- Assist all Northern Michigan Veterans with any problem they have obtaining the benefits and healthcare they have earned
- Give local veterans a voice in policy changes that can improve healthcare access and efficiency at VA Hospitals and clinics
Improving Care through Legislation
In 2014, the Congress enacted landmark legislation to improve access to care and effciency at Veterans Affairs hospitals across the country. Dr. Benishek served as part of a select group of legislators on the Conference Committee the produced the final version of that bill. Today, in Congress, Dr. Benishek is working to ensure the the V.A. keeps their promises and enacts the law as intended.
As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Dr. Benishek plans on advancing meaningful legislation to improve access and care for all veterans.
These include:
- Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act- A bill to hold VA employees accountable for failing to solve problems
- Toxic Exposure Research Act- A bill to provide for research into the effects of toxic exposure on vets and their descendents
Giving Veterans a Voice
Congressman Benishek understands that the best way to serve our veterans is by incorporating their ideas and concerns and by fighting for their issues. That's why he created the Veterans Advisory Coucil.
The Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) is made up of 19 veteran volunteers from Michigan’s First District. This diverse group of veterans consists of former service members from every branch of the military and that have served in conflicts from Vietnam to the Iraq War. The members of the VAC were chosen by Dr. Benishek’s office as a representative sample of the exemplary veterans of Northern Michigan. The council includes leaders of local Veteran Service Organizations as well as younger veterans, all of whom have valuable experience and insight to share. The VAC will hold meetings with Dr. Benishek on a monthly basis.
If you wish to share your ideas with Dr. Dan, visit his contact page, or call 202-225-4735.
Helping Northern Michigan Veterans Receive Care
After meeting with veterans across Northern Michigan, Dr. Benishek found that many were unaware of the various programs for which they qualified, including housing, education, health care, mental health support, and employment. Other veterans were caught up in the bureaucracy of applying for these benefits. For this reason, Dr. Benishek began holding Veterans Assistance Fairs.
To date, Dr. Benishek has held two such fairs across Northern Michigan, with future events planned in various parts of the district. These fairs bring together experts from Veterans Service Organizations, Veterans Affairs Hospitals, and State and Local Veterans Services Departments to provide a central location for any veteran to come and learn about the benefits for which they are eligibile and to receive assistance in navigating the application process. These events have proved to be a great success, with hundreds of veterans opening new cases to obtain benefits.
Dr. Benishek is committed to providing the highest level of constituent service to every veteran in our district. If you are having trouble with the VA or if you have questions about the benefits you have earned, you are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Dan for help. Please contact our office for assistance with any questions or problems you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions and helpful links for obtaining information on veterans services in our area.
- How can I contact the Department of Veterans Affairs?
- How can I get education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill?
- How can I get medical benefits?
- How can I get information on suicide prevention?
- How can I get a home loan?
- How can I get life insurance?
- How can I get vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits?
- How can I get survivor benefits?
- What drug benefits are available?
- How can I get a copy of my military records?
- How can I apply for a medal, award, or decoration that I earned while in the service?
- What other services are available to me?
Veterans’ facilities in and around the 1st district
- Oscoda Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
- Gaylord Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
- Escanaba Vet Center
- Manistique Outreach Clinic
- Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
- Menominee Clinic
- Marquette Clinic
- Hancock Clinic
- Clemont C. Van Wagoner Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (Alpena)
- Sault Ste. Marie Clinic
- Ironwood Clinic
Support For Homeless Veterans
Information for homeless veterans can be found here.