Walz and Nolan Bring Rural VA Concerns from August meetings to VA Secretary

Press Release

Rep. Tim Walz and Rep. Rick Nolan spoke with Secretary McDonald last week to convey concerns they heard from veterans at town hall meetings in August in Rep. Nolan's district.

They specifically spoke about access to care in rural areas and asked for the Secretary's assistance in addressing that issue. Secretary McDonald assured Walz and Nolan that he understood the challenges and is addressing them.

"Veterans Choice continues to be a work in progress and I'm pleased the Secretary agreed to be our partner when it comes to bringing back the "customer service aspect" [McDonald's words] for veterans by making improvements to the VA's paperwork process -- which will expedite veterans care by reducing back and forth between HealthNet & VA and empowering County Veterans Service Officers to help with VA Choice casework," Nolan said.

"We have more work to do to address the concerns of access to vets living in rural areas and I am pleased Secretary McDonald is receptive to those concerns and knows we must improve access," Walz said.

Rep. Nolan also asked for the Secretary's assistance in modernizing the VA's phone systems to allow all veterans in crisis to more quickly connect with a trained counselor.

Rep. Walz briefed the Secretary on his visit to St. Cloud.

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