Tester statement on review of Fort Harrison

Senator says ‘veterans deserve the very best’

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester, a leading member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement after the independent VA Office of Inspector General released its review of the Montana Healthcare System at Fort Harrison:

“This information is incredibly valuable as we improve access and delivery of health care to veterans. VA Montana remains a strong health care facility, but we can always do better. Recommendations for streamlining administrative procedures will only strengthen Fort Harrison and build on the VA’s commitment to improve. I will continue monitoring the VA’s access and delivery of care because our nation’s veterans earned the very best.”

In its March review, the Inspector General reviewed seven operational activities at Fort Harrison: Quality Management, Medication Management, Coordination of Care, Pressure Ulcer Pain and Management, Community Living Center Resident Independence and Dignity, Environment of Care, and Nurse Staffing. The Director of the VA Montana Healthcare Care system concurred with the findings in the independent review and already has a plan to act on them.

Last week in a hearing on the State of VA Health Care, Tester called for improvements in access to care for veterans by addressing workforce shortages, improving transportation and tele-health services.

A copy of the IG’s report is available online HERE.