05.14.16

Hoeven Outlines Work to Improve Veterans' Access to Health Care Services at AMVETS State Convention

Hoeven Cosponsors Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act


STEELE, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today addressed the 35th annual AMVETS Convention to thank them for their service and outline his efforts to provide veterans with the health care services they need.

“We’re deeply appreciative of all that our veterans have done for us, so it’s very important we make sure that they have access to quality health care and long-term care, both through the VA and through services in their local communities,” said Hoeven. “AMVETS does a tremendous job of supporting our veterans, and we thank you for your work in North Dakota and across the U.S. At the same time, we continue our efforts to ensure our former service members can access the health care and long-term care services they have earned closer to their homes.”

Hoeven is working to improve health care services to all veterans by:

  • Resolving scheduling issues with third party administrators: Earlier this month, the senator hosted a roundtable in Fargo with officials from the VA and Health Net, which resulted in an agreement to develop and start to implement a pilot project over the following 30 days at the Fargo VA Medical Center.
  • Facilitating greater health care services for veterans in both rural and urban communities by allowing the VA to enter into provider agreements with qualified hospital, medical and extended care providers.
  • Working to pass the Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act, legislation Hoeven is cosponsoring that will allow the Indian Health Service (IHS) to cover the cost of copayments for Native Americans receiving medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Patients must have a referral from IHS to the VA in order to have the copayment costs covered.

Hoeven is a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, the Indian Affairs Committee, the Air Force Caucus and the ICBM Coalition.

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