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“Progress has been made in reforming the VA over the past year, but we are far from done. We have passed the Choice Act, we have a new director who is committed to reform, and we can better hold VA employees accountable for mismanagement. Still, there is much work to do to ensure that no veteran ever goes without the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. That is why I am committed to pursuing my Veterans Action Initiative, a comprehensive effort to help veterans in Northern Michigan and across the country.”
To date, Congressman Benishek has held two Veterans Assistance Fairs this year. At these fairs inMarquette and Cheboygan, MI, Dr. Benishek has assembled experts from the VA, local VSOs, state veterans agencies, and his staff to help veterans learn about the many benefits they can apply for and to provide assistance in navigating the application process. As a result, hundreds of veterans have opened cases to receive benefits.
Additionally, the Dr. Benishek has held several meetings with his Veterans Advisory Council, a group of Northern Michigan veterans from all age groups and service branches who advise the Congressman on the issues they are facing on the ground.
As a former surgeon at the Iron Mountain VA Hospital and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Dr. Benishek continues to hold hearings to expose inefficiencies at the VA and to highlight areas for reform. Next week, he will be introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Toxic Research Exposure Act, which will allow the VA to research the consequences of toxic exposure on veterans and their descendants.
Since the beginning of the year, Dr. Benishek has made numerous unscheduled stops at local veterans’ clinics to meet with veterans and the staff of the facilities in order to learn directly about the challenges they have faced.
