High-Risk report underscores urgency of Tester’s actions

Delivery of health care and mail make the list of at-risk operations

(U.S. SENATE)-A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report identifying the most at-risk government operations underscores the urgency of Senator Jon Tester’s actions to increase access to care for veterans and improve the Postal Service’s financial solvency and delivery standards.

The GAO High-Risk report is released every two years to identify the government operations most vulnerable to waste and mismanagement, or their urgent need for reforms.

“This report highlights something we’ve known for a while: care for veterans and essential services for folks living in rural Montana are at risk,” Tester said. “That’s why I’ve taken action and introduced legislation to increase veterans’ access to care, and I’ll fight those who are pushing to privatize of the Postal Service. Whether it’s the delivery of health care or basic postal services, middle-class families are counting on us to step up.”

Tester, a senior member of the Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee, announced just yesterday he is bringing VA Secretary Robert McDonald to Montana to hear directly from veterans this spring. Tester also introduced legislation to expand access to care and benefits for veterans and their families.

Last month, Tester met with incoming Postmaster General Megan Brennan and encouraged her to protect and improve mail delivery standards, the need to reform the agency’s retiree health prefunding burden, and the importance of the Postal Service’s viability in the 21st Century.

The 2015 GAO High-Risk report also included federal oversight of food safety. Tester, the Senate’s only working farmer, voted for the Food Safety Modernization Act in 2010 and has demanded the labeling of genetically engineered foods.

You can read the full 2015 GAO High-Risk Report HERE.