Rep. Ron Kind Introduces Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act

La Crosse, WI– Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind joined U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) to introduce the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, which aims to fix a number of problems seen at the Tomah VA, including looking into improved pain management practices. This legislation is named in honor of Jason Simcakoski, a Wisconsin veteran who tragically lost his life last year.

“We must make sure no other veterans and their families have to go through what the Simcakoski family and others have had to. One of the best ways to do this is to give veteran patients and their families a real role in VA oversight and to provide health care professionals better training on the negative effects of prescription painkillers. This legislation uses some of the lessons learned from problems at Tomah to help the VA provide better care for veterans nationwide,” Rep. Kind stated.

“The Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act is an important piece of history. Helping our veterans get the best care possible is the ultimate goal. The guidelines in the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act will help the VA give our veterans and service men and women the best health care they deserve. Our family doesn’t want to see what happened to our son Jason happen to another veteran or service person,” said Jason’s father Marvin Simcakoski.

This bipartisan legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to update pain management guidelines, strengthens provider education and training, improves patient advocacy, and authorizes a new commission to examine alternative treatments, among other provisions. The Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act is similar to the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act in the Senate.

The Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act is supported by Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.