Gazette opinion: Ups & Downs

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UP: Veteran care. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act will take new steps toward fulfilling the nation’s obligation to care for Americans who have served in the military. Some of the ideas for this legislation originated in Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has held numerous meetings with veterans who asked for fair mileage reimbursement because they often must travel long distances to the closest VA care, better access for rural veterans through telehealth and collaboration with the Indian Health Service. The bill also creates a grant program for the Disabled American Veterans transportation program, a mainstay of VA service in Montana. The DAV logged 900,000 miles last year transporting Montana veterans.