Senator Ernst Continues Work on Solving Veterans Affair Issues

United States Senator Joni Ernst recently re-introduced a bill to help veterans receive treatment through the internet.

The Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2017 seeks to improve healthcare access for disabled and rural veterans by allowing individuals to meet providers from anywhere in the country through telehealth services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ernst heard from several area veterans from her trip to Jefferson in May of 2016 and while this bill is attempting to correct some of the issues, she is still not happy with how the VA is operating.

“Very disappointed I guess is the best way to put it. The VA must have a faster response. When we see the suicide hotline be hit or miss that should never happen. When you see that veterans when they’re applying for disability, it takes I’ve heard up to five years for some of these veterans. Things like that should not be happening.”

Ernst is hoping that she and other legislators can apply more pressure to the new VA Director David Shulkin to get better and faster treatment services to veterans.