Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

VA Meetings Will Address Mission Act Health Benefit

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Montana Veterans are being invited to meetings to learn more about a new health care benefit at meeting across the state.

Montana Veterans are being invited to meetings to learn more about a new health care benefit this week and next.

The VA is hosting afternoon sessions on the Mission Act in Billings and Helena Thursday, in Missoula Friday and in Great Falls on June 4.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie describes the Mission Act this way.

"It says if we cannot provide a service to you that you need, and you live a certain distance from our VA facilitites, then we give you the option of going into the private sector for that care."

Access to care under the Mission Act is scheduled to begin June 6. It replaces Veterans Choice, which also tried to help rural vets get care closer to home, but proved unworkable.

The Mission Act is largely the work of Montana Sen. Jon Tester, who pointed to it as evidence he can work with the Trump Administration in his 2018 Senate re-election campaign.

Mission Act meetings this week:

  • Fort Harrison: May 30, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., VA Medical Center-Rec Hall, 3687 Veterans Drive.

  • Billings: May 30, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Billings VA Clinic-Majestic, 1766 Majestic Lane

  • Missoula: May 31, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Missoula Public Library, 301 East Main

  • Great Falls: June 4, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., VFW Post 1087, 4123 10th Ave S

The information that will be shared will also be distributed through theMontana VA website andFacebook page

Eric Whitney is NPR's Mountain West/Great Plains Bureau Chief, and was the former news director for Montana Public Radio.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content